CISAC’s Asia-Pacific meeting focuses on AI, governance and creators’ rights
CISAC’s Asia-Pacific Committee met in Ho Chi Minh City on 28–29 October 2026, hosted by the Vietnam Center for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC). The meeting formed part of a wider programme running from 26–30 October, bringing together more than 100 representatives of collective management organisations, music publishers and international digital platforms.
Opening the meeting, VCPMC Director General Đinh Trung Cẩn emphasised the importance of international cooperation as digital services and artificial intelligence reshape the music industry. CISAC Director General Gadi Oron thanked VCPMC for its hospitality and contribution to Vietnam’s creative sector, highlighting the gathering as an opportunity to share experience and develop practical responses to common challenges.
Addressing AI and strengthening societies
The committee’s agenda placed AI among the region’s central priorities, with sessions covering lobbying, litigation and the registration of AI-generated and AI-assisted works.
Alongside these issues, the agenda included updates on regional communications, global digital services data exchange and arrangements involving multiple collective management organisations. Panels moderated by CISAC Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Benjamin Ng focused on governance, CIS-Net 2 and live performance administration, bringing together society representatives and CISAC specialists to examine the systems and practices supporting creators’ remuneration.
Improving digital rights management
The wider programme connected societies and publishers with representatives of YouTube, Meta, Spotify and Apple Music through the Technical Online Working Group for Asia-Pacific (TOWGA).
Discussions addressed rights verification, duplicate and conflicting claims, and the reporting of music usage data. These operational questions are essential to identifying rights accurately and supporting the collection and distribution of royalties across borders.
Sharing regional experience
National and territory reports provided an opportunity to compare developments across markets. VCPMC reported a 24% increase in revenue in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Live performance administration was another focus, with societies exchanging experience of royalty collection and the practical challenges associated with concerts and other live music events.
Ensuring creators have a voice
The week also included the Asia-Pacific Music Creators Alliance (APMA) General Assembly and a Creators’ Seminar. APMA discussions addressed AI and the impact of buyout contracts, particularly the risk that younger creators lose access to long-term royalty income.
At the seminar on 30 October, newly elected Chairman of APMA, Mr. Lee Shiha has urged the creators to work closer together during the AI age to defend their interests. CIAM President Arriën Molema stressed the need for transparency and creators’ permission when their works are used to train AI. Participants also highlighted international cooperation and better data connections as foundations for a fair and sustainable music sector.
The programme combined policy discussions with the practical work of licensing, data exchange and society governance, placing creators’ rights and remuneration at the centre of regional cooperation.