Azerbaijan leads dialogue on media development at Astana’s Central Asian Forum

Azerbaijan is among the participants of the 2nd Central Asian Media Forum, which opened on April 16, 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The forum has brought together top international media professionals from across the region and beyond, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, and others, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The event has gathered around 700 participants and features more than 30 speakers.

Over two days of panel discussions, attendees will explore new areas of growth and collaboration among Central Asian media organisations. Key topics include the evolution of global media, shaping the future information environment, the digital transformation of media in the age of artificial intelligence and big data, and the role of social media in building a country’s image.

The forum’s broader aim is to enhance cooperation between Central Asian media outlets and their international partners, examine how digital transformation is reshaping the regional information landscape, and address pressing global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical instability.

The event is organised by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and is held under the theme, “Central Asia in the Era of Global Challenges: Media as a Tool for Strategic Development.”

Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, delivered remarks during a panel titled “Central Asian Media: New Growth Points and Cooperation.”

He emphasized that the media environment is undergoing rapid change due to current geopolitical conditions, stating that it now plays a major role in shaping public opinion, influencing political discourse, and managing socio-political dynamics.

The forum will continue through April 17. On the second day, masterclasses are scheduled for national and regional media outlets, as well as university students. The list of speakers includes distinguished experts from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia.

By Tamilla Hasanova