The Roundtable on "AZERTAC at 105: The Past, Present, and Future of Cooperation was held as part of the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum in the city of Lachin.

In his opening remarks, Vugar Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), noted that for over a century, the agency has operated without interruption. "Founded in 1920 by the first democratic state in the East, AZERTAC initially served as the independent news source of a sovereign country for just two months. However, even during the Soviet era, its news feed continued, creating a valuable archive of hundreds of thousands of photos and reports about our country. Looking back on the agency's century-long history, we recognize the immense significance of this legacy," the Chairman of Board mentioned.

"The value and relevance of our agency continue to grow with each passing year. In today's modern and fast-paced information age - where content spreads with a single click - the role of news agencies has never been more vital. In such a flood of information, we are faced with one of the most serious problems of our time: fake news and disinformation. Agencies do not just react - they actively fight fake news. Fact-checking activities are now an integral part of the agency. Artificial intelligence and verification technologies are widely used to detect fake images, deepfake videos, and manipulated content," Vugar Aliyev emphasized.

Masim Mammadov, Special Representative of the Azerbaijani President in Lachin district, mentioned that note Lachin has become a host city for high-profile international events. "The city recently welcomed the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a Summit."

The Special Representative of the President highlighted Lachin's restoration and remarkable development. "In just the past two years, the city has expanded significantly, boasting new infrastructure like an airport and tunnels of international importance," he mentioned.

"This event, marking AZERTAC's 105th anniversary, is truly special. It's remarkable to see so many international news agencies gathered here. AZERTAC's celebration of its 105th anniversary is a great achievement," said Alexandru Ion Giboi, Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA).

EANA Secretary General highlighted the importance of focusing on the future. "We live in an era where today's realities are more challenging than it has ever been," he mentioned. "It is vital for us to properly plan for the future, because swift technological development brings forth new challenges. The modern era is full of uncertainties, and it is crucial that we keep up with these developments," Alexandru Giboi underlined.

"The relationship between AZERTAC and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) spans 21 years, rooted in the Memorandum of cooperation signed between the news agencies in 2004. We are maintaining exchange of news, expanding our collaboration," said Kiril Valchev, BTA Director General.

Noting that news agencies embody responsibility, the BTA Director General emphasized their crucial role not only in practical journalism but also in fostering peace.

"I enjoy a long-standing relationship with AZERTAC, spanning half of its history. We must know the history, draw conclusions and benefit from it. It is crucial to delve into the past of a news agency with a legacy as rich as AZERTAC's, said Mikhail Gusman, TASS First Deputy Director General.

He noted that National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev always placed a great importance to AZERTAC, constantly keeping its activities in spotlight. "During his leadership, AZERTAC was the primary channel for delivering crucial national news regarding the country to the public. Heydar Aliyev always paid special attention to this news agency," he mentioned.

"This tradition is still being continued by President Ilham Aliyev, who attaches great importance to AZERTAC's activities. The 105th anniversary marks not merely a date, but a testament to the extensive professional expertise, unwavering commitment, and evolution of the national press. Azerbaijan's most distinguished journalists and photo correspondents honed their craft at AZERTAC.

Muhammad Asim Khichi, Managing Director of Pakistan's Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), underlined that AZERTAC has transformed into one of the world's leading news agencies, describing it as a significant achievement.

Elmir Huremovi?, General Manager of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal News Agency FENA, described the joint celebration of AZERTAC's 105th anniversary in Lachin as a milestone event, noting that this event is not merely an anniversary for a news agency, it's also an example of international news cooperation and friendship.

Cristina Mihaela Tatu, Deputy Director General of Romania's AGERPRES news agency, said that AZERTAC has established successful cooperation with news agencies of various countries, including AGERPRES.

"For 105 years, AZERTAC has remained committed to delivering accurate news. I'd like to note that this year, Anadolu Agency is also celebrating its 105th anniversary," said Bilgehan ?ztürk, Anadolu Agency's Strategic Communications and International Relations Manager.

Highlighting the importance of news agencies in responding to modern challenges, ?ztürk described collaboration as key in achieving this goal. He mentioned that amidst the global transformation, cooperation becomes indispensable.

Jamil Qadalrah, Director of the News Department at Jordan's Petra News Agency, emphasized that maintaining public trust is among the most crucial issues, which is incredibly valuable for media organizations, and remarkably easy to lose. "We must ensure that ethical and professional values are at the heart the media activities," he added.

Emphasizing the importance of responsible journalists delivering accurate, swift, and with quality news to the public, Agha Iqrar Haroon, Director of Pakistan's DND news agency noted that collaboration in this area is crucial and plays a significant role in disseminating unbiased news.

Congratulating AZERTAC on its 105th anniversary, Agha Iqrar Haroon stressed that DND news agency and AZERTAC has been maintaining cooperation since 2018. He also hailed the active news exchange between the two countries.

Over 40 media representatives from various countries joined the roundtable discussion.

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