Chief editor analyzes!
Date: 19 July 2025
Location: Khankendi, Azerbaijan
Theme: Digital Pathways: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of AI
The 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum convened on July 19 in Khankendi, gathering 140 delegates from 52 countries, including representatives from 30 news agencies and 80 media institutions. Under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev, the forum addressed the challenges and opportunities facing journalism in the digital age, particularly amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
In his opening remarks, President Aliyev welcomed participants to Karabakh, emphasizing the forum’s evolution into a platform for global dialogue and shared media responsibility. He highlighted the region’s reconstruction efforts and the symbolic significance of hosting the event in the newly rebuilt Khankendi Congress Hall.
Key Highlights from the Presidential Dialogue
1. Legacy of COP29:
Responding to a question on Azerbaijan’s climate diplomacy, President Aliyev described COP29, hosted in Baku, as a landmark achievement.
- The event drew 77,000 participants from 197 countries, including 70 heads of state.
- Azerbaijan committed to 6 GW of renewable energy by 2030, primarily from solar, wind, and hydropower, especially in Karabakh and East Zangezur.
- Major outcomes included:
- Tripling of global climate finance from $100 billion to $300 billion
- Breakthrough on Article 6 regarding carbon markets
- Establishment of a $10 million climate fund to support vulnerable states
Aliyev stressed a “realistic green transition”, balancing clean energy goals with the continued relevance of fossil fuels for global stability.
2. Regional Diplomacy – Zangezur Corridor & Armenian Relations:
In response to Uzbek journalist Prof. Sherzodkhon Kudratkhuja, Aliyev reflected on his recent meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi, calling it “historic.”
- The Zangezur Corridor was cited as a transformative infrastructure link — not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but for the broader Turkic world, connecting Central Asia with Europe through efficient East-West transport corridors.
- The President affirmed his commitment to normalization and regional connectivity despite historic tensions.
3. Karabakh Reconstruction and Tolerance:
Aliyev addressed observations about rapid post-conflict rebuilding in Karabakh, noting the restoration of both mosques and churches as a sign of multiculturalism and tolerance.
- He acknowledged the legacy of his father, Heydar Aliyev, whose vision for Karabakh, though unrealized in his lifetime, serves as a moral and strategic compass for modern Azerbaijan.
Strategic Significance & Analysis
The 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum is more than a media event — it serves as a soft power tool, showcasing Azerbaijan’s:
- Media openness and ability to engage critical global narratives
- Environmental leadership through balanced green transition policies
- Regional diplomacy through active post-war reconciliation
- National branding, tying cultural restoration to geopolitical vision
The forum also reinforces Azerbaijan’s growing role as a bridge between the Global North and South, particularly in multilateral negotiations and sustainable development agendas.
Conclusion:
Through candid exchanges with international media, President Aliyev positioned Azerbaijan as a forward-looking state, blending realism with aspiration. The Shusha Forum has thus evolved into a unique hybrid of journalism, diplomacy, and statecraft — one rooted in Karabakh but with global resonance.
