Baku: Participants of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Media Forum have adopted the Baku Declaration 2025 on Collaborative Media Development and Cooperation among D-8 Member States.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the declaration was presented by the governments and media representatives of the D-8 countries, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Trkiye.
The declaration was announced during the First D-8 Media Forum in Baku, themed ‘Fostering Dialogue, Collaboration, and Regional Cohesion.’ The forum acknowledged the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in advancing the D-8’s transformation into a dynamic economic bloc. It also commended the contributions of D-8 Member States and their media authorities to the forum.
The declaration reaffirmed the commitment to enhance media cooperation to promote mutual understanding and regional solidarity. It proposed the institutionalization of the D-8 Media Forum as a platform for inclusiveness and joint ownership. The document called for the swift operationalization of the D-8 Media Excellence Center in Azerbaijan, which will serve as a hub for training, research, and digital capacity-building.
Structured programs and professional exchanges were emphasized to bolster capabilities across the D-8. The declaration also focused on improving cooperation among national media authorities to enhance information exchange and support joint content initiatives. It noted the initiative to create a Broadcasting Association of D-8 Countries for program exchange and cultural content sharing.
Collaborative digital platforms were encouraged to strengthen D-8 narratives globally. The declaration also aimed to combat misinformation through shared fact-checking mechanisms and rapid communication channels. Partnerships with international media organizations were highlighted to build resilience against harmful digital content.
The declaration upheld ethical journalism and proposed a unified D-8 code of conduct. It also supported media literacy initiatives for youth and educators and encouraged responsible innovation in media technologies. Cooperation among journalism institutes was also promoted through fellowships and exchanges.
The declaration concluded with a commitment to support the D-8 Media Excellence Center and foster stronger media cooperation among D-8 Member States. It expressed gratitude to the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan for organizing the forum successfully.