Officials and media leaders from across Asia met in Baku on Thursday for the first media forum held under the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Discussion centered on how journalism can build mutual trust and how media institutions in member states can work more closely together.
The Azerbaijani CICA Chairmanship organized the event with support from the CICA Secretariat. Its theme was “Building Trust through Media in a Polarized World.”
In an address to the forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described a world going through a complicated period, marked by fast-changing geopolitical realities, growing security challenges and deep shifts in the media landscape.
He said the media should be seen as an important instrument of public diplomacy, mutual understanding and regional cooperation.
CICA Secretary-General Kairat Sarybay said that promoting constructive, fact-based dialogue has become a global priority. Closer cooperation among member states, he said, should go hand in hand with stronger ties among their media professionals.
Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy Salkyn Sarnogoeva told a panel session that building trust across Asia is a shared responsibility of CICA members.
She argued that in an age of disinformation and information warfare, government institutions, professional journalists, bloggers and opinion leaders should work together to produce high-quality content that promotes unity. She also called for regular professional exchanges and shared experiences.
Alongside the main sessions, Ahmad Ismayilov, chairperson of Azerbaijan’s Media and Broadcasting Council, held a series of bilateral meetings, the council said in a statement.
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His counterparts were Mehmet Daniş – chairman of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, Wajiha Qamar – Pakistan’s Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Sarybay, and Kobuljon Akhmedov – Director of the Center for Media Content Production under Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration.
According to the council, the participants agreed that rapidly changing communication trends demand closer cooperation and continuous exchange of experience among media institutions.
They stressed the value of building ties in the media sector and pursuing joint projects in various formats. They also exchanged views on maintaining trust in the global information space, media literacy, reducing the impact of disinformation, improving the quality of media content, and adapting to the challenges posed by digital platforms.
CICA brings together 28 states covering more than 90 percent of Asia’s territory. It serves as a multinational forum for cooperation aimed at promoting peace, security and stability in the region.
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
