Participants of 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum arrive in Fuzuli, Azerbaijan

Participants of the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum have arrived in the city of Fuzuli ahead of the event scheduled to take place from July 19 to 21.

The delegation landed at Fuzuli International Airport as part of preparations for the forum, which is dedicated to the theme “Digital Transitions: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

This year’s forum is expected to gather approximately 140 international participants from 52 countries, including representatives from leading news agencies in over 30 countries, seven international organisations, and around 80 media entities.

The event aims to provide a vital platform for discussing global challenges facing the media industry, promoting experience exchange, fostering new professional networks, and developing collaborative initiatives in the field of information cooperation.

The Shusha Global Media Forum is an annual international platform held in Shusha, Azerbaijan, dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges in the global media landscape. Since its inauguration in July 2023, the forum has focused on critical issues such as digital transformation, misinformation, media resilience, and the evolving role of media in the 21st century. It brings together media professionals, policymakers, experts, and representatives of international organisations to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and foster cooperation.

The first forum, themed "New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution," was organised to commemorate the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" and the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press. It explored the impact of technological advancements on journalism, including media management, the use of digital tools, combating misinformation, and journalist safety.

In 2024, the forum adopted the theme "Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation," focusing on the challenges of disinformation, promoting media literacy, policy development for resilient societies, and examining the role of media in climate activism. Artificial intelligence’s influence on shaping media narratives was also a major topic of discussion.

The Shusha Global Media Forum attracts a diverse international audience. The 2023 event hosted over 150 participants from 49 countries, including representatives of state information agencies, media institutions, and international organisations. This reach expanded in 2024 to include participants from about 50 countries, news agencies from 30 countries, and more than 80 media outlets, facilitating broad international cooperation on media issues.

Beyond media, the forum holds cultural and diplomatic significance. Shusha, known as the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, symbolises national resilience and peacebuilding efforts. Hosting the forum there underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration within the media sector and beyond.

By Vugar Khalilov