On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), we are delighted to invite you to join us as a participant at our upcoming Regional Media Salon with the theme of "Behind the Algorithm: Technology, Rights & Environment in ASEAN”. This salon is hosted by the UNDP-EU joint action ‘Agents of Change: Youth and Media for Responsible Business Practices’, with support from Earth Journalism Network (EJN).
Date: 25 June 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 4:00 to 7:00 pm (including networking reception)
Location: The Foreign Correspondents’ Club Thailand (FCCT), Penthouse, Maneeya Center, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330
Format: Hybrid (in person & virtual)
Event Registration:
Form: click here
1) For those based in Thailand, to attend in person, we request you to fill out the form as soon as possible. Since spots are limited for this, should registration be filled by the time you confirm, we’ll add your name to our waitlist and ensure we contact you if a spot opens. You can also sign up virtually as an alternate (indicate on same form).
2) If you are based outside of Thailand, we hope you will still be able to join the conversation virtually (use the same form to indicate virtual participation). In addition, should you have colleagues or trusted contacts in Bangkok who may be interested in attending, we would be pleased to welcome their participation in person (you can indicate this on the form above) OR forward this invitation to them.
Who will attend:
Designed as a curated discussion, the session will convene participants in-person and virtually, from a cross-section of stakeholder groups in the emerging tech and the Business, Human Rights and Environment space. For example, key representatives from the private sector, multilateral, civil society, and youth-led initiatives & bureau chiefs, editors, foreign correspondents, investigative, business, environment and technology journalists.
Salon Theme: Behind the Algorithm: Technology, Rights & Environment in ASEAN
Behind every generative AI query lies a physical pipeline: energy-hungry data centers, transoceanic cables, and vast, subcontracted labour networks. While the emerging technology revolution promised a 'green and frictionless' future, the reality is an opaque supply chain that has a visceral impact on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for communities across ASEAN. Southeast Asia acts as the central material anchor for this emerging technology boom, commanding 85% of global electronic chip and semiconductor exports while dominating the refining of AI-critical hardware components – including 99% of global gallium and 85% of silicon. The urgency of this story is underscored by the immense economic transformation unfolding across the region, with the historic discussions on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework (DEFA), which is slated to be the first region-wide, dedicated digital economy pact.
Why should you attend?
Bringing together attendees over meaningful multi-stakeholder dialogue, this salon will focus on three core outcomes:
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Insights on regional corporate accountability coverage: Through table discussions, understand & contribute inputs that can help shape narratives and trends in this space
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Hear directly from the media: Learn insights directly from senior media leaders, with a unique behind-the-scenes perspective and dialogue on how stories in this sector are identified, investigated, and written
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Network: Build valuable connections with stakeholders across the media, business, civil society, and policy network within the BHR+E space
Speakers:
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Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Portfolio Manager, Business and Human Rights in Asia, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub
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Andreas Roettger, First Counsellor, Head of Regional Team Asia-Pacific, European Commission, Delegation of the EU to Thailand
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Desarack Teso, Director, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs, Thailand, Vietnam and Emerging Markets, Microsoft
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Paritta Wangkiat, Editor in Chief, Mekong Eye
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Louise Mabulo, Television Presenter, Channel News Asia
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Belinda Hlatshwayo, Project Manager, Business and Human Rights in Asia, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub
To access more information, please visit our website at: https://www.undp.org/asia-pacific/bizhumanrights/events/regional-media-salon
