OANA commences with opening speech of Ozturk in Moscow

15th General Assembly of Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) started in the capital Moscow in Russia. Anadolu Agency Director General and OANA Chairman Kemal Ozturk spoke at the meeting of OANA and said that OANA progressed to be a prominent organization in the world. Ozturk thanked those who contributed to the arrangement of the meeting, adding "The organization, established with UNESCO initiative, moves towards a target which aims to be a prominent organization protecting its values." "We are, as the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies, in Moscow to hold the meeting of last general board. I wish to thank all members for their participation," said Ozturk. Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies' (OANA) 15th General Assembly will be held on 18–21 September 2013 in Moscow. In the meeting held in Moscow, the new chairman and secretary general for the organization will be elected. Anadolu Agency chaired OANA for the term 2010-2013.  - Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) OANA was formed in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO to secure direct and free exchange of news between the news agencies of a region inhabited by more than one half of the world's population. The Asia-Pacific countries account for 56 percent of world gross product, some 50 percent of its trade turnover, over 60 percent of its maritime and nearly 25 percent of air transport volume. The world's largest financial reserves and science-intensive technologies are concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. At present OANA brings together 40 news agencies from 33 countries. Two-thirds of information circulated throughout the world are released by OANA members.