#India elected president of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development

<p><strong>India was on Aug 3 2018, elected as the president of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development</strong>,a regional inter-governmental organisation established in <strong>1977 </strong>under the auspices of <strong>UNESCO</strong>.</p> <p>India got the presidency of the organisation, servicing countries of the UN&nbsp; Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (<strong>UN-ESCAP</strong>) in the field of electronic media development, for the first time by defeating <strong>Iran </strong>in the election that took place in <strong>Sri Lanka,</strong> Information and Broadcasting Ministry officials said.</p> <p>Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (<strong>AIBD</strong>) was established in 1977 under the auspices of <strong>UNESCO</strong>. It is hosted by <strong>Malaysia </strong>and its secretariat is located in <strong>Kuala Lumpur.</strong></p> <p>The <strong>AIBD </strong>is mandated to achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the <strong>Asia-Pacific region</strong> through policy and resource development.</p> <p>The <strong>Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union</strong> (<strong>ABU</strong>) is a founding organisation of the institute and is a non-voting member of the general conference, the officials said.</p> <p><strong>AIBD </strong>currently has <strong>26 member countries, </strong>represented by<strong> 34 organisations,</strong> and<strong> 67 affiliate member organisations</strong> with a <strong>total membership of 101</strong> representing <strong>48 countries</strong> and regions and over <strong>50 partners</strong>, the officials said.</p> <p>India's presidency is for two years and will help it in leveraging itself as the broadcasting and media hub in <strong>Asia Pacific</strong> region, they said.&nbsp;</p>