The Maldives has been officially announced as the host nation for the 21st Asia Media Summit, which will take place next year. 

This is the first time the Maldives will host the annual gathering of global media leaders.

The announcement was made during the handover ceremony of the 20th Asia Media Summit, held this week in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Heena Waleed, the Spokesperson at the President’s Office, received the handover documents on behalf of the Maldives.

The upcoming summit will be organised in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) and the Maldives’ national public broadcaster, Public Service Media (PSM). Hosting the event is expected to boost the country’s international profile and provide an important platform for showcasing the Maldives as a regional media hub.

The 20th edition of the summit brought together over 300 delegates from more than 30 countries, including media executives, policymakers, and industry experts. The Maldivian delegation included representatives from PSM, the Maldives Broadcasting Commission, and other media professionals.

President's Office Spokesperson Heena also participated in a panel discussion during the event, shedding light on women's role in the media from a Maldivian perspective.

First launched in 2004, the Asia Media Summit has become a leading international platform for dialogue and cooperation among media organisations. It aims to foster innovation and development in broadcasting and digital media.

The 2025 summit carried the theme “Celebrating Two Decades of Excellence and Beyond,” reflecting the summit’s evolution over the past 20 years.