BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 28. The 7th meeting of ministers and high officials in charge of media and information of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Baku, Trend reports.
The meeting was attended by OTS Deputy Secretary General Omer Kocaman, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Kanat Iskakov, Kyrgyzstan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov, Deputy Head of the Turkish Liaison Office Ferhat Pirinççi, Director of the Media Content Production Center under the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan Kobuljon Akhmedov, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu.
Addressing the participants, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov stated that preventing disinformation and the spread of fake news is a priority for Azerbaijan.
He noted that the government of Azerbaijan pays special attention to the development of the media, actively develops dialogue in this sphere, and advocates for strengthening international cooperation.
Ismayilov pointed out that the Shusha Global Media Forum has become an important platform for discussing pressing issues in media development. "The Third Shusha Global Forum, held in July 2025, attracted a wide range of participants - representatives of leading mass media, experts, and analysts from various countries around the world, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other states. The event discussed the challenges of the digital age, ways to improve the reliability of information, and new opportunities for international media interaction," he said.
Ismayilov highlighted that Azerbaijan is stepping up its efforts to tackle disinformation and fake news, seeing this area as one of the crucial parts of safeguarding information security.
"Azerbaijan remains committed to professionalism, shared values, and the integrity of cooperation. The platform for interaction among Turkic states serves as the basis for advancing our interests and strengthening trust," he emphasized.
Deputy Secretary General of OTS Omer Kocaman annouced that the OTS plans to launch an initiative to ensure information integrity.
"At present, we are working on the five-year strategy of our organization for 2027–2031. Within the framework of this strategy, it is planned to create a new structure called the 'OTS Information Integrity Initiative'. The goal of the initiative is to develop joint mechanisms for verification and fact-checking and implement comprehensive programs aimed at increasing citizens’ media literacy, as well as introduce coordinated mechanisms for responding to the threats of information warfare," he said.
In his turn, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Kanat Iskakov noted that the OTS member countries should increase the production of joint content.
"We need to increase the production of joint content - dramatic series, documentary projects, and programs about tourism, culture, and the investment opportunities of our countries. We have significant potential in this direction, but we have not yet given this work the proper momentum," he said.
Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov added that Solutions to create a secure information environment for citizens should be sought within the framework of the OTS.
"Within the framework of OTS, it's important to seek solutions that contribute to the creation of a safe, transparent, and fair information environment for citizens. In the modern digital era, the internet and social networks have become powerful tools for exchanging information and ideas, playing a key role in ensuring freedom of expression and access to data," the ambassador said.
Omer Kocaman further announced that the next meeting of ministers and high officials in charge of media and information of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Following the meeting, the participants also adopted a communique.
