The conference was attended by Dr. Farid Ayyar, FANA Secretary-General, representatives of 14 news agencies, and observers and guests to discuss relevant topics and issues in the media sector.
In his speech, WAM Director-General welcomed the participants in the conference, which is being held in conjunction with the Global Media Congress.
Al Rayssi commented, “Higher Organising Committee of the Global Media Congress is pleased to welcome you to this international event, which brings together east and west, south and north. We thank you for your valuable participation with various news agencies and press, radio, television and digital media entities.”
He added, "I have the honour to convey to you the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and his wishes for your continued success and positive contribution to enriching the sessions and discussions of the first edition of the Global Media Congress, which is being held under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of the Media Industry.”
WAM Director-General stressed that our responsibility towards FANA is growing day by day, in light of the rapid developments witnessed by the world in general, and the media industry sector in particular. It requires us to continue thinking, planning, and working together in facing the challenges and exploring the significant issues related to the making of the news story, the credibility of the message and the ethics of the profession.
Al Rayssi shed light on the significance of promoting media joint action, sustaining coordination and unifying efforts in delivering media messages aimed at meeting the needs of our various media institutions, developing our societies, and achieving the happiness of our peoples.
The Director-General of WAM said that in light of what modern communication technologies, social applications and smart software have provided; We must have a positive and qualitative contribution to strengthening the Arab media scene, through the ability to cover events with high professionalism and global credibility, using the latest technologies and the best smart programmes in managing news operations and various media productions.
He added, "In this regard, we at the Emirates News Agency were keen to implement the ‘WAM News’ system as an innovative news programme that enriches professional news work and organises the management of multiple work teams through a smart system that shortens time and effort, ensures quality and excellence, and keeps abreast of developments in the media industry."
Al Rayssi called on the participants in the conference to have a detailed look at this programme at the Emirates News Agency pavilion at the World Media Congress.
WAM Director-General concluded by saying, "I express to you abundant thanks and appreciation for your valuable participation with us in this unique media event, looking forward, as Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for this global gathering, that every Arab agency will have a distinguished participation and multiple contributions in the upcoming editions, and invest opportunities to strengthen partnerships and conclude agreements with regional and international entities operating in the media industry.”
FANA Secretary-General, in turn, said, "We meet today - for the first time - in the UAE, consecrating an important tradition in joint Arab action, which is represented in the periodic convening of FANA conferences aimed at discussing issues of interest to news agencies and developing them globally.
“We extend our congratulations to the WAM Director-General on the inauguration of the first edition of the Global Media Congress. I also welcome the Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP) agency rejoining the Federation of Arab News Agencies, as MAP was a pioneer in FANA's establishment.”
He stressed that the Federation of Arab News Agency established and maintained a distinguished position amongst the regional and international federations, as it is today "an active member in the News Agencies World Congress".
Ayyar added, “FANA has also established a network of close connections with news agencies in Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as with similar regional and international bodies, in addition to its various achievements at the Arab level by implementing training and qualification programmes for all cadres of news agencies.”
He explained that FANA provides the Arab countries, through its news agencies, with 90 percent of the news, reports and pictures, describing it as a "United Nations Arab News".
FANA Secretary-General also hailed WAM's well-organisation, which facilitated the holding of the conference in Abu Dhabi, also praising the efforts of the members of the General Assembly.
The conference included a panel discussion during which representatives of European news agencies and the European Alliance of News Agencies reviewed a number of their media initiatives and projects. They also discussed their vision for developing relations with FANA.
The participants congratulated the UAE for organising the Global Media Congress, valuing the contribution of this prominent global event in formulating a forward-looking vision for the future of the media sector and building fruitful and sustainable partnerships between various media outlets.
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