As the issue of sustainability continues to attract the attention of programme-makers, the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has introduced new awards for productions covering the subject in Asia and the Pacific region.

AIB is a non-profit, non-government, industry association founded in 1993 to represent, promote and assist its members. It has a diverse membership of companies in around 30 countries, including major broadcasters serving audiences of over one billion people each week.

Launched in 2005, the annual AIBs are the international awards for factual productions across audio, video and online platforms.

Home to more than two-thirds of our planet’s population, the Asia-Pacific region is at the centre of challenges brought about by humankind’s actions and through the effects of climate change. In its 2018 competition, the AIBs are searching for the most compelling and engaging radio and TV productions that are telling stories around the issues of sustainability from climate change to poverty reduction, and everything in between.

“It’s one of the media industry’s responsibilities to ensure that audiences are aware of the issues around sustainability,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Media companies are in a unique and privileged position to help lead the conversation and ensure that people engage on key issues around sustainability. That’s why we’ll be rewarding the best programmes that cover this vital subject in this immense region.”

The AIBs 2018 Asia-Pacific Sustainability Award is open to all radio, television and independent production companies, wherever they are based in the world; programmes entered must focus on issues within the Asia-Pacific region.

These two new awards – one for radio, the other for television – form part of this year’s AIBs, the 14th annual competition for the world’s best factual productions.

All entries must be submitted by 30 June 2018. The two Asia-Pacific Sustainability Awards will be presented at a gala dinner on 28 September, hosted in Taipei by the sponsor of these two awards, Radio Taiwan International.

This is the 90th anniversary of Radio Taiwan International which broadcasts to the world in 13 languages.

Full information on the AIBs 2018 and the Asia-Pacific Sustainability Awards is available online at www.theaibs.tv.