Acting KUNA Director receives ASEAN Heads of Mission, discusses cooperation

KUWAIT, Nov 10 (KUNA) -- Acting Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Mohammad Al-Mannai received on Monday Heads of Mission of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in Kuwait, discussing ways to enhance media training and cooperation.
During his meeting of the ambassadors and diplomats, Al-Mannai affirmed that Kuwait recognizes the important role played by ASEAN, one of the most politically, economically and culturally influential regional organizations.
He praised the growing economic capabilities of ASEAN, noting that the State of Kuwait's joining of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia two years ago reflects its keen interest in deepening comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN.
He pointed out that KUNA was eager to support partnership with ASEAN, recognizing its importance for future generations and affirmed that the agency is fully opened to building bridges of knowledge and connectivity through joint cooperation in various fields.
He added that KUNA maintains strong and fruitful ties with news agencies within the ASEAN region, including the Indonesian News Agency (ANTARA), the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA), and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), noting recent years have witnessed remarkable cooperation in exchanging news items, visits, and training courses.
He expressed hope for more cooperation with other news agencies within the ASEAN region to serve the interest of all involved parties.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN ambassadors and diplomats lauded KUNA for its distinguished media role and handling of regional and international news in addition to its role in boosting media cooperation through partnerships with several organizations including ASEAN.
They affirmed their keenness to continue exploring media opportunities with KUNA, highlighting prospects in the fields of economy, culture, and tourism, as well as enhancing cooperation between KUNA and ASEAN region's news agencies.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 as a regional intergovernmental organization promoting economic, political, and socio-cultural cooperation among its member states in Southeast Asia.
It includes 11 members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and the most recently inducted Timor-Leste.
Present at the meeting on behalf of ASEAN were Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Lena Maryana, Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Boun Inthabandith, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Sman Manan, Ambassador of Malaysia, Alauddin Mohd Nor, and Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Jose A. Cabrera III.
Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chan Aye, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Thang Nguyen Duc, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Adi Khalid bin Cuchu, and CDA a.i. of the Royal Thai Embassy, Uraiwan Courtaud, were also present.
Deputy Director General for Editorial Sector, Essam Al-Ghanim, Acting Chief-In-Editor Mohammad Al-Bahar, and Director of Marketing and Public Relations Lamia Al-Farsi were also in attendance. (end) ae.gta