BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Foreign participants
of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum have highlighted President
Ilham Aliyev’s messages on peace, international cooperation, and
the need for more inclusive global governance, sharing their views
on Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts, the role of the Global
South, and the importance of restoring trust in the media.


Representatives of civil society organizations, media outlets,
and international platforms from Africa, Asia, and Latin America
noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks at the forum addressed
key global challenges, including reform of international
institutions, strengthening cooperation among nations, and ensuring
greater representation for developing countries.


Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan African Climate
Justice Alliance from Kenya, said the forum provided an opportunity
to observe Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts in the territories
affected by conflict.

"The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan was indeed a
timely platform to showcase to the world the progress made by
President Ilham Aliyev's government to restore dignity for the
people of the once-occupied region," Mwenda wrote on Linkedin.


He added that the Global South NGO Platform would continue
supporting reconstruction initiatives and efforts aimed at
achieving lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as
throughout the wider region.


Nigerian journalist Dare Akogun highlighted President Ilham
Aliyev’s remarks on global governance reform, particularly
regarding Africa’s representation in the United Nations Security
Council. According to Akogun, one of the key moments of the forum
was President Aliyev’s response to questions on Africa’s peace and
security challenges and the continent’s role in international
decision-making.


"One seat should go to the African Union, with the country
holding the current chairmanship having the seat," President Ilham
Aliyev said, according to Akogun’s article. The Nigerian journalist
noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s position reflected broader
discussions at the forum on creating a more representative
international system.


Kenyan representative Brian Ngigi, from the Africa Bureau for
Climate Stories, emphasized President Ilham Aliyev’s call to
strengthen cooperation among non-governmental organizations and
amplify the voices of communities in the Global South. He noted
that the forum demonstrated the importance of collaboration in
promoting peace, sustainable development, and truthful information,
adding that Azerbaijan’s initiatives had drawn attention to the
role of civil society in global dialogue.


Marie Therese Merhej Seif, Chairman and Executive Director of
Lebanon’s Human Environmental Association for Development (HEAD),
highlighted the connection between responsible media, environmental
governance, and sustainable development. She emphasized that
discussions at the forum reinforced the importance of trust,
dialogue, and cooperation, noting that independent media and
accurate information are essential for addressing global
challenges.


Dean Meekson, Executive Director of Citizens Network for
Community Development Zambia, welcomed President Ilham Aliyev’s
call for a more representative United Nations and greater
participation of the Global South in global decision-making. "A
stronger and more inclusive United Nations where the voices of the
Global South are heard, respected, and reflected in decision making
is essential to advancing peace, climate justice, sustainable
development, and global equity," Meekson wrote on Linkedin.


Nigerian expert and Founder of ICCDI Africa Olumide Idowu also
expressed support for President Ilham Aliyev’s position on
strengthening Africa’s role at the UN Security Council, saying that
a continent with more than 1.4 billion people deserves greater
participation in decisions affecting global peace and security.


Peruvian representative Blanca Mujica, Co-Founder of
Ikua4Change, highlighted his remarks on strengthening cooperation
among non-governmental organizations and increasing the role of
civil society in international affairs.

She noted that stronger partnerships among organizations across the
Global South are important for ensuring more inclusive solutions to
global challenges.


Philile Dlamini from Eswatini’s EcoHarmony Eswatini emphasized
the importance of the forum’s theme - “The Mission of the Media in
Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Rebuilding Trust” - noting
that truth and trust are essential for addressing challenges
ranging from misinformation to climate change.


Participants also highlighted discussions held during the forum
on artificial intelligence, media transformation, combating
disinformation, and the role of journalism in promoting peace.


The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum brought together journalists,
policymakers, experts, and representatives of international
organizations from different regions to discuss the future of
media, global cooperation, and the role of information in shaping
international dialogue.