Public Service Media (PSM) is putting the final touches on what promises to be the region's most significant media event of the year, as the Maldives prepares to welcome hundreds of media professionals, industry leaders, and government officials from across the Asia Pacific for the 2026 Asia Media Summit.
The four-day summit, which will take place from 11 to 14 May at the Villa Nautica Resort, represents a major moment for the island nation as it positions itself as an emerging hub for media discourse and technological innovation in the Indian Ocean region.
According to PSM Deputy Managing Director Yameen Rasheed, preparations have been underway for some time and are now reaching their conclusive phase.
"The summit is the largest media gathering in the region. eads of various media outlets from different places will participate. In addition, ministerial level officials from some countries will participate in the summit," Yameen said, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
The scope of participation reflects the summit's ambitions on the international stage. PSM Executive Director Ibrahim Rameez revealed that around 30 countries will be represented at this year's gathering, with roughly 300 delegates expected to attend. Of these participants, about 80 percent will be international visitors, demonstrating the strong global interest in Maldives as a destination for professional discourse.
"This time the summit is at Villa Nautica. But our participants will be at Villa Nautica as well as Hulhule Island Hotel. About 300 people are attending the summit. Around 80 percent of them are foreigners,” he explained.
The Asia Media Summit is organised by PSM in partnership with the Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), which serves as the official host of the event. This collaboration brings together local expertise in Maldivian media with regional knowledge of broadcasting development trends, creating a synergy that promises rich discussions and valuable networking opportunities for all participants.
Beyond the formal proceedings, the summit will also feature pre-workshops on 11 May, designed to provide both local and international media professionals with hands-on experience in the latest technological tools reshaping the industry.
This year's theme, "Maldives 2.0 from Tradition to Tech," encapsulates the broader narrative that organisers hope to explore throughout the conference.