Held from July 19 to 21, 2025, the third Shusha Global Media Forum took place in Shusha, Azerbaijan, a city emblematic of its cultural heritage and post-conflict revival. The event brought together 255 participants, including approximately 140 foreign delegates from 52 countries, alongside Azerbaijani media professionals, policymakers, and experts. Centered on the theme “Digital Pathways: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of AI,” the forum examined how rapid digital transformation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the global media landscape. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in substantive discussions on the challenges and opportunities confronting modern media, from countering disinformation to leveraging emerging technologies, while promoting international cooperation and fostering a transparent, trustworthy information environment. Notably, the forum coincided with Azerbaijan’s National Press Day, further underscoring its relevance to the country’s evolving media landscape.

President Ilham Aliyev formally opened the forum and played a central role throughout the event, engaging directly with participants and reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to open dialogue. In his welcoming remarks, he greeted delegates to Karabakh and noted that the Shusha Forum had “already become a tradition” for addressing not only media-related issues but also broader global challenges. Emphasizing the transformative power of artificial intelligence, Aliyev cautioned that AI is “radically [changing] the processes of information production and dissemination,” and urged both governments and media institutions to adapt proactively. His call for fostering open and respectful discourse set the tone for the forum’s collaborative and forward-looking atmosphere.

President Aliyev’s engagement at the forum extended well beyond his formal address. In a wide-ranging Q&A session, he responded to diverse questions, highlighting Azerbaijan’s climate diplomacy, particularly in the lead-up to COP29 in Baku, and underscoring strategic partnerships, including the deepening Azerbaijan–China relationship. His remarks also reflected a readiness to confront complex geopolitical issues directly, such as Armenia’s continued obstruction of the Zangezur Corridor and Azerbaijan’s intention to pursue legal action against Russia over a recent aircraft incident. These statements underscored that, while the forum was framed around media resilience, it also served as a prominent platform for articulating Azerbaijan’s regional and........

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