The strategy of the D-8 Media Excellence Center was presented within the framework of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said that ensuring reliable information exchange in a rapidly changing information environment, promoting professional journalism and joint efforts against disinformation are among the important areas of cooperation between states. He emphasised that the D-8 Media Excellence Center, established on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, is of exceptional importance in this regard and said that the Center will contribute to strengthening ties between the media institutions of member countries, expanding the exchange of experience and implementing common initiatives.

D-8 Secretary General Sohail Mahmud noted that strengthening cooperation in the media sphere is important for forming a unified, reliable and constructive information environment among member states. He said that the Media Excellence Center will serve to institutionalise cooperation among the media institutions of member countries, expand the exchange of experience and knowledge, and develop coordinated approaches to modern challenges arising in the media sphere. The Secretary General described this initiative as the transition of media cooperation within D-8 to a new stage.

Fuad Mardiyev, Director General of the “Media Excellence Hub”, gave detailed information about the need to establish the Center, its strategic goals and areas of activity. He noted that rapid digital transformation in the media sphere, the wide application of artificial intelligence technologies, the growing threat of disinformation and changes in the global information environment make closer cooperation among the member states of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation necessary.

It was stated that the main goal of the Center is to strengthen cooperation in the media sphere among the D-8 countries, increase professional capacity, promote research and innovation, and develop common approaches in this field.

During the presentation, the activities envisaged by the D-8 Media Excellence Center in the areas of institutional development, international positioning, creation of cooperation mechanisms, exchange of experience, media research and combating disinformation were brought to attention.

It was also emphasised that the next stages of the activity of the Center envisage creating a cooperation network uniting the media institutions of member states, implementing joint projects, expanding partnerships with international organisations and sharing best practices in the media sphere.

The event was moderated by political commentator Ulviyya Zulfugar.