India has been elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) with the highest number of votes during the 23rd General Conference held in Thailand.

According to an official statement yesterday, this marks a significant milestone as India last held the position of AIBD Executive Council Chairman in 2016. With this development, India’s leadership role within AIBD has been further strengthened, even as its current tenure as President of the AIBD General Conference continues until August 2025.

At the AIBD meeting, held earlier this week in Thailand’s picturesque Phuket, Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati and President of AIBD GC, thanked all member-countries and organizations for their continued trust and support.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, he said: “We deeply value the confidence placed in India’s leadership. Over the past five decades, we have worked as a team within AIBD in various capacities, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration both collectively and through bilateral partnerships in organizing future AIBD programs and initiatives.”

He also extended heartfelt congratulations to all the newly elected office bearers and expressed his eagerness to work closely with them to take AIBD to greater heights.

Founded in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, the AIBD is a unique regional intergovernmental organization. It currently has more than 92 member organizations from 45 countries, including 26 government-embers represented by 48 national broadcasters, 44 affiliate members from 28 countries and regions,spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, Arab States, and North America.

India is a founding member of AIBD and Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, represents the government in the organization.

(Image of India’s national emblem is AI generated and is representational)