Baku (VNA)😼 - General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Nguyen Duc Loi joined representatives from nearly 100 news agencies all over the world at the fifth News Agencies World Congress (NAWC) that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 16-17.

The congress, jointly held by the Azerbaijan News Agency (AZERTAC) and Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was the event opening the 16th General Assembly of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). It focused on new challenges facing news agencies. In his opening remark, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the significant role of the media, especially in covering international events and issues. He underscored that media organisations should be more responsible in their professional operations. He noted that Arzerbaijan currently has nearly 40 dailies, more than 200 weeklies and 70 cable television channels. More than 75 percent of the 10 million-strong country have access to the Internet, with over two million people joining social networks, he noted, adding that the figures show the development of press freedom in the country. The results have helped boost the country’s political and economic achievements over the past 25 years since Azerbaijan resumed independence in 1991, he said. Within the congress’ framework, representatives from the news agencies had five discussions on a wide range of issues, including future information access, challenges and opportunities that new technology and social media generate to news agencies, the training of multimedia reporters, and the protection of journalists. They highlighted problems that the press has overcome during the transitional period, while seeking cooperation and information sharing among news agencies as well as new media initiatives. They also discussed measures to train young workforce and encourage startups with modern communication initiatives, as well as the protection of reporters during their operation. Speeches of Saudi Press Agency (SPA), OANA and European Alliance of News Agencies (FANA) representatives also underscored the core value of news agencies in providing unbiased, accurate, comprehensive and timely information. Participants also elected the AZERTAC as the NAWC President for the 2016-2019 tenure. NAWC was set up following the initiative of the Russian news agency TASS, with its first congress held in Moscow in September 2004. Following congresses were hosted by Spain, Argentina and Saudi Arabia. The fifth event drew 77 delegates from 39 news agencies of 31 Asian countries, together with 51 delegates from 23 European countries, 25 from 16 African countries and 17 from seven American countries and three from Australia.-VNA