D-8 chief welcomes Azerbaijan’s plan for Media Excellence Centre

Azerbaijan has proposed the establishment of a D-8 Media Excellence Centre and expressed its readiness to host the initiative on its territory, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, announced at the D-8 Media Forum in Baku.

Speaking at the forum, Imam described the Media Excellence Centre as a flagship platform designed to enhance cooperation in the media sector, facilitate knowledge exchange, provide professional training, and strengthen the capacities of journalists and media professionals from D-8 member states.

“We welcome this initiative, which will undoubtedly strengthen cooperation within the D-8 region. In particular, the Media Excellence Centre will help amplify our collective voice in the global information space,” he said.

Imam highlighted Azerbaijan’s active role in the organisation since joining in March 2025, noting that the country has made a significant contribution to advancing cooperation within D-8. He also emphasised that all member states were represented at a high level during the forum, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration not only in economic matters but also in the information and communications sector.

“In October, Azerbaijan hosted the first D-8 Dialogue on Climate and Urbanisation, and in November, it held an informal retreat of D-8 commissioners, where the organisation’s roadmap to 2030 was reviewed,” Imam added.

The D-8 Media Forum, themed “Promoting Dialogue, Cooperation and Regional Solidarity,” convened in Baku with the participation of heads of media institutions, leading media organisations from D-8 member states, senior representatives, and prominent experts in the field.

Hikmet Hajiyev, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, opened the forum by reading President Ilham Aliyev’s address to participants.

The forum program includes two panel sessions—“Responsible Journalism and Digital Innovation” and “Strategic Communication and Crisis Management”—along with a workshop titled “Media Ethics in a Digitalising World: Technologies, Trends and Narratives.”

The event is attended by nearly 150 delegates, including 71 foreign representatives from the eight D-8 member countries and the D-8 Secretariat, demonstrating the forum’s broad international participation.

By Tamilla Hasanova