Sixteen days. That’s all that stands between us and one of the biggest gatherings on the ABU calendar.

And if the programme for the 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings is anything to go by, Colombo is not going to be short of conversations.

From 30 October to 3 November 2026, the broadcasting community will gather at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, in Sri Lanka, hosted by MTV Sri Lanka. But this is not simply about filling conference rooms, exchanging business cards or adding another event to our calendars.

Because the questions facing our industry are getting bigger. And the answers are becoming harder.

Can public media remain relevant in an increasingly fragmented digital world? How do we embrace artificial intelligence without compromising editorial integrity? What will it take to rebuild trust in an era where misinformation travels faster than facts? And how do we ensure that broadcasting continues to serve people, not just platforms?

These are not questions for another day. They are conversations we need to have now.

And GA2026 is bringing them to the table.

The Technical Committee will explore the technologies reshaping our industry, while the Programme Committee turns its attention to the content, creativity and collaborations that keep audiences connected. The Sports Group will examine how sport can be a force for peace and humanity, alongside discussions on stronger regional cooperation and the growing influence of AI in sports journalism.

The Broadcasting for All Forum will remind us that accessibility, diversity and inclusion must remain central to our work. And as the Media Leaders’ Forum, Super Panel and Professional Discussions take centre stage, the focus will turn to public media’s future, responsible innovation, sustainability and the responsibility of broadcasters in an increasingly divided world.

Then there are the moments that remind us why we love this industry in the first place.

The ABU Prizes will celebrate outstanding storytelling and the people behind it, while the ABU Song Festival will bring the region’s cultural diversity to life through music and performance.

And somewhere between the formal sessions, the coffee breaks, the reunions and the introductions, new ideas will emerge. Partnerships will begin. Perspectives will change.

But perhaps one of the most beautiful things about the ABU General Assembly is that it is not just where professional partnerships are formed, but where lifelong friendships begin.

Friendships that extend far beyond conference halls, official meetings and annual gatherings. The kind that mean no matter which corner of the world your travels take you to, chances are there will always be a familiar face, a warm welcome and a friend waiting to catch up.

Because long after the presentations have ended and the conference halls have emptied, it is often the friendships we take home that become the most lasting connections of all.

And that, perhaps, is the real value of bringing the ABU community together.

Our theme this year, “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation,” could not be more relevant. These are not merely words chosen for an event. They represent the very principles our industry must continue to defend, particularly when doing so becomes difficult.

As we enter the final stretch, preparations are gathering pace, programmes are taking shape and our hosts in Sri Lanka are getting ready to welcome the region. The stage is almost set. The questions are on the table. The next chapter is ours to shape.

Sixteen days to go.

Sri Lanka, let’s make these conversations count.