It feels like Q3 only just began, yet somehow we have already reached the end of September. And looking back, it is remarkable how much ground we have covered, not only this quarter, but since the beginning of the year.

Q3 has certainly kept us moving. We began in Kuala Lumpur with ABU CON-FEST 2026, bringing our community together around next-generation content and culture. From there, we travelled to Jakarta for IPLC 2026 and important conversations around AI, copyright and royalties, before turning our attention to technology through our workshops and webinars, including the OTT Engineering Workshop in August.

Then came Sydney, where the Global News Forum brought the focus back to journalism and the people behind it. Conversations around truth, resilience and wellbeing were a timely reminder that while our industry continues to transform, people remain at the heart of everything we do.

But not everything that defined Q3 happened at an event.

Behind the scenes, ABU has been changing too. This quarter saw the launch of our new ABU website, giving our digital home a fresh identity and making it easier to showcase who we are and the work of our members.

There have been changes within our team as well. Q3 saw us say goodbye to some colleagues who have been part of the ABU journey, while welcoming new faces who bring their own experience, ideas and energy to the Union. Organisations grow because people do, and every person who joins us becomes part of building what ABU will become next.

When we look back from Q1 to where we are today, a lot of strides have been made. Some have been highly visible; others have happened quietly behind the scenes. Perhaps that is why, as Q3 comes to an end, it feels important to stop for just a moment and recognise how far we have come before turning our attention to what lies ahead.

And what lies ahead is a big one.

From 30 October to 3 November, our community will come together in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings.

Under the theme “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust and Transformation,” GA2026 will bring together the people, ideas and conversations that have carried us through this year — and give us the opportunity to look towards the future together.

We have come a long way since Q1. We are not slowing down now.

Next stop: GA 2026, Colombo.