The peoples of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are united by fraternal ties stretching back centuries.
These words were stated by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his speech at the II Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Media Forum on "Digital Transformation and Media".
He noted that today, these historical ties have reached a high level thanks to the strong political will and far-sighted leadership of our heads of state – President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev:
"The elevation of our bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership opens up broad opportunities for strengthening our cooperation in all areas, including the media sector. Over the last decade, processes in the global information space have completely changed the essence of media. The form of information consumption is rapidly digitizing, and social networks and online platforms are becoming the main channels for information exchange. Digital transformation not only increases the operational efficiency of media but also places new responsibilities upon it. The main issue here is to ensure accurate, objective, and reliable news amidst an abundance of information."
According to him, significant reforms have been carried out in the Azerbaijani media in recent years with state support, precisely in this direction.
"The fact that Uzbek media is also undergoing a similar transformation phase further increases the relevance of our cooperation. This is because we face similar challenges: combating disinformation, protecting professional journalism, educating the younger generation in the digital environment, and safeguarding national interests in the international information flow.
In this regard, media cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan can be an exemplary model not just for the media of the two countries, but for the entire region. This is because our peoples share common values and a common historical memory. Media is an invaluable tool in preserving these values and passing them on to future generations," he emphasized.