Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn delivered keynote remarks during the opening session of the 8th ASEAN Media Forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Since its inception in 2017, the annual forum has provided a vital platform for meaningful dialogue between ASEAN policymakers and media leaders, fostering the exchange of ideas and enhancing understanding of ASEAN’s perspectives on emerging issues. In his remarks, Dr. Kao emphasised the crucial role of the media in advancing the ASEAN Community’s post-2025 integration agenda.