India Assumes Chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Board to Increase Global Media Influence

It is a major diplomatic development that India has been elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD). The election took place at the 23rd AIBD General Conference in Phuket, Thailand where India got the highest votes, and will have returned to this leadership position after almost a decade. This triumph affirms India position in the future of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region, and reaffirms the rising status of India in international media regulation.

Landmark Dual Leadership

This election of India is especially interesting because the country is also the holder of the presidency of the AIBD General Conference until 31 August 2025. Such dual leadership position wielded by Gaurav Dwivedi, the CEO of Prasar Bharati, demonstrates high confidence of the international community in the vision and ability of India to drive the regional cooperation in broadcasting.This places India at the fore front of policy setting and joint efforts with an aim of tackling the contemporary challenges and opportunities of the new media environment.

About Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD)

The AIBD is a leading inter-governmental body set up in 1977 under the aegis of UNESCO. Its role is to promote cooperation between its members in the search of development and innovation in the media.

• Composition: There are 92 different-member organizations comprising 45 countries in the institute.
• Membership: This covers 26 government members (through 48 national broadcasting members), and 44 affiliate members on a worldwide basis in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Arab States, and North America.
• India Role: India is one of the founding members of the AIBD and she is represented by her public service broadcaster, Prasar Bharati.

The 23 rd AIBD General Conference: Media: People, Peace and Prosperity

The conference, which was held between August 19-21, 2025 played a crucial role as a platform to international stakeholders. The event under theme ' Media on People, Peace and Prosperity ' was about:

• Enhancing policy exchange, communication and knowledge sharing among member nations.
• Promoting resource sharing and content collaborations in order to overcome digital divides.
• Creation of a cooperative media landscape in the direction to sustainable development and peace in the region.

The Significance of the Election in India

The fact that India is ascending to the chairmanship is no small matter:

• Policy Influence: It gives India the capability to influence and be the benchmark setter in broadcasting standards, content initiatives and training programs in the Asia-Pacific region.
• International Confidence: India is in a position to be highly visible both the international affairs and other forums and the endorsement of the election is regarding the mode of leading a public service broadcasting.
• Strategic Partnerships: The role also offers an excellent prospect to establish closer bilateral and multilateral media ties where the spotlight will be hosted on Indian media content and technology.
• Heritage and Ahead: It underlines the decade long, willing collaboration of India with the AIBD and prepositions the country to steer the future of media in the region.