Qatar News Agency (QNA) Director-General Ahmed bin Saeed al-Rumaihi took part in a media forum held on September 21, 2026, in Moscow to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). The event was hosted by Russian news agency Tass, which currently holds the OANA presidency.
The forum focused on the future of media within the Asia-Pacific region, exploring strategies to build a sustainable media community and enhance cooperation among news agencies. Participants addressed emerging challenges related to information flow, technological advancements, and the widespread dissemination of disinformation and fake news.
A plenary session titled “OANA: 65 Years of Experience. Building a Sustainable Media Community, the Organisation’s Role in Shaping the Future Media Landscape of the Region” highlighted OANA’s efforts in developing common standards and fostering collaboration in response to rapid changes in the media environment.
Panel discussions covered topics such as countering disinformation, employing artificial intelligence in media, and maintaining information quality. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a video message emphasizing the growing global demand for reliable and impartial information alongside an increased interest in diverse cultural perspectives. Lavrov underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to combat fake news and expressed hope that cooperation between OANA and the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) would yield new joint initiatives to foster mutual trust.
Tass director-general and OANA president Andrey Kondrashov highlighted the critical role of trust among member news agencies, noting that disinformation undermines stability, joint projects, and cooperative efforts. He stressed the organisation’s function as a platform for dialogue among members on an equal footing to develop shared standards and address media challenges more effectively.
The forum also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between OANA and the GFCN aimed at strengthening fact-checking collaboration, improving information verification in the digital sphere, and advancing joint measures against disinformation and fake news.
In addition to the forum sessions, a photo exhibition titled “History and Development: 65 Years of Information Exchange in the Asia-Pacific Region” showcased the evolution of cooperation among OANA members over six decades.
During the event’s 58th Executive Board Meeting, which QNA Director-General al-Rumaihi also attended, participants reviewed financial and technical reports and discussed organizational development. The meeting announced the expansion of the Technical and Ethics Committees and completed technical updates to OANA’s website.
Vietnam News Agency (VNA) was confirmed to host the 59th OANA Executive Board meeting in 2027. VNA Director-General Vu Viet Trang reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting OANA’s growth and participating in initiatives aimed at reinforcing cooperation among members in the digital age.
Forum participants are scheduled to engage in an international event, “Dialogue about Fakes 4.0,” featuring a plenary session and a joint OANA-GFCN panel on collaborative approaches to combat disinformation, concluding with a closing session set for September 22.