Attending the conference were delegations from ABPA member countries including representatives of publishers in the Southeast Asian region; representatives of domestic agencies and units such as: Central Propaganda Department, Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Publishing Association, Department of Information and Communications of Ho Chi Minh City...

The conference focused on three main thematic groups:

1. Review the current status of the publishing industry in ABPA member countries. The publishing industry in ASEAN countries has overcome difficulties such as the negative impact of Covid-19, the decline in global economic growth, etc. Publishing in some countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, etc. all have positive signals. Reports from ABPA members show that publishing in ABPA countries has made great efforts to diversify reading culture development activities, establish copyright trading centers, increase presence at international book fairs, organize national book awards, promote the use of electronic learning materials, etc.

2. Proposing directions to promote intra-bloc cooperation. As the rotating President of ABPA for the 2022-2023 term, the Vietnam Publishing Association has put forward 3 main proposals: - Continue to research and implement the "One ASEAN" initiative, through the Association to promote exchange and cooperation between publishers of countries, thereby learning experiences, exchanging copyrights in the region, realizing the goal of diversifying ASEAN identity, turning the region into a publishing center, gradually reaching the world level. - Establish a copyright center under ABPA to introduce books from publishers of member associations, contributing to promoting intra-bloc copyright transactions and sharing information to promptly handle copyright infringements.- ASEAN Book Awards, with a jury (chairmen of ABPA member publishing associations) giving opinions on the principles, regulations and criteria for selecting books written on ASEAN topics (in English or local languages ​​with English translations)- Organize an international book fair in Ho Chi Minh City in April 2024.

3. Discuss and decide which country will assume the rotating ABPA Presidency for the 2024-2025 term.

The conference discussed and voted on which country would take on the rotating ABPA Presidency for the 2024-2025 term. The conference also presented certificates to some veteran members and presented certificates to representatives of all delegations attending the conference.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Minh Tuan - Deputy Editor-in-Chief in charge of Communist Magazine, Chairman of the Vietnam Publishing Association, and Alternate Chairman of ABPA - expressed his joy that Vietnam is part of a community that has stood side by side for the past 18 years. " The Association has initially met the needs of exchange and cooperation between member countries. The Association has become a channel for information exchange, sharing new policies of the publishing industry of each country, as well as sharing experiences and good practices to promote the development of reading culture. Through that, members have the opportunity to learn from each other and customize and apply them to suit the specific circumstances of each country," said Associate Professor Dr. Pham Minh Tuan.

The activities organized by the Vietnam Publishing Association during its term as Chairman also aim at the common goal of ASEAN, especially " Maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability and further strengthening peace-oriented values ​​in the region and enhancing regional self-reliance through promoting political, security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation" .

Up to now, after nearly 2 years of assuming the role of rotating President of ABPA, the Vietnam Publishing Association has effectively contributed to the cause of people's diplomacy, actively contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena.

PV