Vice General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Ngo Ha Thai joined his colleagues from member agencies at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec. 14.

At the event, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and UNESCO Vice-Representative in Bangkok Etienne Clément highlighted OANA’s development and role in contributing to maintaining peace and mutual understanding in the region.

OANA has also played an important role in opposing all forms of racism and neo-colonialism, they said.

At round-table talks following the event, delegates said that OANA has competently performed its role during the progress of regional and world development.

It has also overcome emerging challenges due to the shift of development from Europe and America towards Asia, which now represents more than half of the world’s trade exchange value and almost 60 percent of global economic output.

Founded in 1961, OANA has 44 member news agencies in 35 countries. VNA has hosted the OANA Executive Council conference and its technical session on three occasions./.