D8 Media Center of Excellence was established in Azerbaijan, which will operate within the 8 Developing Countries (D8) Organization.
The center was introduced within the scope of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum held in Azerbaijan.
Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hacıyev, D8 Secretary General Sohail Mahmood, media managers and experts from D8 member countries attended the promotional program.
Anadolu Agency (AA) Deputy General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Özhan also took part in the event.
Speaking in the program, Hacıyev reminded that Azerbaijan became a full member of D8 last year, and said that this was achieved with the support of the member countries and that his country considered this membership as an indication of the respect of the entire D8 family.
Stating that D8 is an important international platform that brings together sister countries and covers billions of people, Hacıyev stated that Azerbaijan takes its membership in the organization with great responsibility and is determined to contribute to the agenda of the organization.
Stating that President İlham Aliyev had previously suggested the creation of institutional mechanisms within the D8, Hacıyev said that in this context, the idea of establishing a Media Center of Excellence as well as Energy and Transportation Centers of Excellence was brought to the agenda.
Expressing their satisfaction with the implementation of this initiative today, Hacıyev noted that the center has officially become operational thanks to the unanimous support of all D8 member countries.
Stating that the center will operate as a practical cooperation and interaction platform between journalists and media organizations, Hacıyev stated that the Azerbaijani government will provide full support to the center.
Saying that the D8 Media Forum held last year was the first concrete step in the process leading to the establishment of the center, Hacıyev stated that organizing media trainings, developing cooperation between media organizations, increasing direct corporate interaction, combating disinformation and activities aimed at the effective use of artificial intelligence technologies in the media field will be among the priority targets in the new period.
Hacıyev thanked all the countries that supported the initiative and called on the media organizations of the member countries to contribute to the D8 Media Center of Excellence with their knowledge and experience.