Organization of Asian-Pacific News Agencies 15th General Assembly Started Its Work in the WTCM

15th General Assembly of the Organization of Asian-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) began its work that will last till September 20, 2013 in the World Trade Center Moscow Congress Hall. Sponsor of the event is Russia’s longest-standing news agency ITAR-TASS.

OANA General Assembly takes place in Russia for the first time. Russian President V.V. Putin in his welcoming address read by ITAR-TASS General Director Sergey Mikhailov wished the delegates fruitful work and focused on several points requiring further meticulous elaboration. «Consistent dialog is called to strengthen news agencies’ cooperation both in technological and creative areas, assist in development of balanced approaches to the coverage of acute problems of today to resolve which weighted and united attitude of mass media should play a significant and responsible role», - V.V. Putin’s message says.

The plenary session was declared open by Chair of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the RF Valentina Matviyenko. In her speech she cordially appreciated the gathering and especially the Assembly’s leadership for giving credence to the country by holding the jubilee session in Moscow.

Chair of the Russia’s State Duma Sergey Naryshkin and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also sent their greetings to the Assembly’s delegates.

The gathering included representatives of leading news agencies from 44 Asian-Pacific countries.

OANA was founded at the UNESCO initiative in 1961 and is the largest media organization uniting leaders of 44 information agencies from 34 countries of the world. It was established for dynamic promotion of alternative viewpoints on the global events and support of the multipolar world concept.