As climate-related disasters become more frequent, more intense, and increasingly unpredictable across the Asia-Pacific, the role of media is evolving far beyond reporting the news.

Today, broadcasters are no longer simply documenting crises after they occur. They are becoming essential partners in preparedness, public education, risk communication, and community resilience.

This growing responsibility sits at the heart of the upcoming 10th ABU Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Prevention (2026CADP), taking place from 16–18 June 2026 in Paro, Bhutan, under the theme *“From Awareness to Action: Intelligent Media for Climate Resilience and Safer Future.”* Held alongside the ABU AI Forum 2026, the summit reflects a reality that is reshaping the media industry across the region: climate resilience and technological innovation can no longer be discussed separately.

The Asia-Pacific remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. From floods and typhoons to wildfires, droughts, and earthquakes, communities increasingly rely on trusted media for accurate information before, during, and after emergencies. Yet the challenge facing broadcasters today extends beyond delivering breaking news. The real question is how media can help societies prepare long before disaster strikes.

This is where the conversation becomes increasingly important.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming newsroom operations, content creation, verification processes, audience engagement, and emergency communication systems. AI offers enormous opportunities for faster information delivery, multilingual communication, predictive analysis, and wider public reach. At the same time, it introduces critical concerns surrounding misinformation, algorithmic bias, trust, verification, and responsible deployment during times of crisis.

The convergence of climate challenges and emerging technologies presents both a responsibility and an opportunity for broadcasters.

For over a decade, the ABU Media Summit series has served as a platform for regional collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and action. Since its launch in 2014, the initiative has brought together broadcasters, policymakers, scientists, disaster management authorities, and development partners to strengthen the media’s role in disaster risk reduction and climate communication. The summits have consistently produced regional commitments and action plans that reinforce the importance of informed, responsible, and resilient broadcasting.

The 2026 edition builds upon this legacy while responding to the realities of today’s media landscape. Discussions will focus on climate reporting, science-based journalism, multi-hazard early warning systems, combating climate misinformation, inclusive disaster communication, and the use of AI in broadcasting and natural emergency response. The summit will also highlight practical solutions, capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration aimed at helping broadcasters strengthen preparedness and resilience within their own organisations and communities.

A particularly significant element of this year’s summit is the continued collaboration between the ABU and UNESCO through the Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan (DPRP) Model for Media. The initiative provides a practical framework that helps media organisations institutionalise preparedness and maintain operational effectiveness before, during, and after disasters. As climate risks continue to intensify, such frameworks are becoming increasingly vital for broadcasters across the region.

Ultimately, climate action is no longer solely the responsibility of governments, scientists, or humanitarian agencies. It is also a communication challenge. How information is delivered, understood, trusted, and acted upon can directly influence how communities respond to risk.

The future of climate resilience will not be built through awareness alone. It will be built through action, collaboration, innovation, and informed public engagement. For broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific, that future begins with recognising that media does not merely report resilience. It helps create it.