AZERBAIJAN PROPOSES D-8 MEDIA EXCELLENCE CENTRE, OFFERS TO HOST FACILITY

From Sh Nur Shahrizad Sy Mohamed Shaher

BAKU, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Azerbaijan has proposed the establishment of a D-8 Media Excellence Centre and expressed readiness to host the facility, Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Secretary-General Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam said.

Speaking at the inaugural D-8 Media Forum here, Friday, he said the initiative is aimed at strengthening media cooperation among member states.

Imam said the proposed centre is expected to serve as a flagship platform to support media collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional training, as well as expand opportunities for journalists and media professionals across the D-8 region.

“We welcome this initiative, which will further enhance cooperation across D-8 members. The Media Excellence Centre will help strengthen our collective voice in the global information space,” he said.

Imam said the forum’s theme ‘Fostering Dialogue, Collaboration, and Regional Cohesion’ perfectly encapsulates what the organisation aims to achieve, which is to leverage on the influence of the media to enhance cooperation and make the D-8 organisation more visible.

The initiative, put forward in March this year, just months after Azerbaijan joined the organisation, reflects the country’s strong commitment to strengthening media cooperation among D-8 member states.

“Azerbaijan has undertaken remarkable initiatives within a short time of its membership,” he said.

The secretary-general also noted that the strong presence of ministers and senior officials from all nine member states at the forum demonstrated a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation in both economic and information spheres.

Imam also tabled several other proposals to deepen media cooperation among member states, including the formation of a D-8 Broadcasting Association to facilitate the exchange of news and programmes; collaboration among journalism institutes to offer fellowships and training; and the institutionalisation of the D-8 Media Forum as an annual event.

The secretary-general reaffirmed the D-8 Secretariat’s support for operationalising the centre once approved, and said it would be integrated into the organisation’s broader agenda in innovation, youth, and the digital economy.

He also expressed appreciation to the government of Azerbaijan for hosting the forum and to member states for their continued engagement. 

Meanwhile, Department of International Relations and Documentation of Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency Director, Rasim Baghirov, said the Charter of the D-8 Media Excellence Centre (D-8 MEC) is now under preparation.

“Following the second online meeting of the focal points, comments and feedback from member states are received and building on these inputs the Charter of the D-8 MEC is now under preparation,” he said during the presentation of the D-8 MEC concept note.

He said the outcome of today’s meeting will be incorporated into the D-8 Action Plan for the next two years after its operationalisation, and encouraged member states to remain actively engaged while the future direction of the platform is being collectively shaped.

The one-day forum brings together media professionals, policymakers, scholars, and communication experts to encourage mutual understanding, strengthen professional networks, and support constructive media dialogue.

Organised by Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDIA), the forum aims to establish a unified information environment to combat disinformation, misinformation, and fragmented news, while fostering solidarity among member states.

Malaysia is represented by a nine-member delegation from agencies under the Communications Ministry, led by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.

Azerbaijan became the ninth member of the D-8 in December 2024, marking the first expansion in the bloc’s 27-year history.

Aside from Azerbaijan, the countries in the D-8 are Türkiye, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. Egypt currently holds the D-8 Chairmanship, which will be handed over to Indonesia for a two-year term starting Jan 1, 2026.

-- BERNAMA