The 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related meetings is set on July 29 to August 2, 2007 and is hosted by the Philippines. As RP is known for its hospitality, it is making an extra effort to tend to the needs of the journalists that will be covering the occasion.

The International Media Center located at the PICC Forum just beside the Philippine International Convention Center, is now open to the journalists. To date, the Media Center has already accredited 937 journalists from 27 countries and the number is expected to rise in the next few days as more foreign journalists arrive for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) and the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The Media Center has been equipped with at least 100 computers complete with internet connections. It is also a Wi-fi Zone to enable those with their own computers or laptops to transmit their stories without using the telephone lines. Internet access will enable accredited journalists covering the five-day AMM affair to compose and transmit their stories to their respective home offices in just a matter of seconds.

Twenty-six printers, four photo copiers and two fax machines are also available for the journalists' use. For those who wish to broadcast live from the PICC, satellite feed can be arranged with the Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) through the facilities of the International Broadcasting Center (IBC). All these facilities are being made available to the more than 1,000 journalists who are expected to cover the ASEAN event.

Journalists accredited to cover the five-day event are advised to wear their suits or jackets as the temperature inside the Forum, where the International Media Center is located, is 10 degrees Celsius or even lower.