Public Service Media (PSM), the national broadcaster of the Maldives, is currently representing the country at the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Media Cooperation Forum, held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The event, taking place from 23 to 27 May 2025, brings together over 300 delegates from 26 countries, including SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners, alongside media executives, senior government officials, and representatives from major news organisations.
Themed “Building a Better Home Together for a Prosperous Future”, the forum provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration among media institutions across the SCO region. The Maldives’ participation reflects its commitment to fostering international media partnerships and contributing to meaningful cultural exchange.
Organised by the People’s Daily in collaboration with the People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the event features a series of sessions addressing the evolving global media landscape. Topics include the influence of artificial intelligence on journalism, strategies to improve information dissemination, and the importance of media in strengthening cross-border connections.
The forum officially opened with a welcoming reception, where Erkin Tuniyaz, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xinjiang Committee and Chairman of the Xinjiang Government, highlighted the region’s progress. “Xinjiang is now experiencing the best period in its history in terms of high-quality development. Hosting the 2025 SCO Media Cooperation Forum at such a moment is both timely and meaningful,” he remarked, drawing attention to the region’s growing role in international media engagement.
A key element of this year’s forum is the Media Dialogue of SCO Countries and the 2025 Youth Cultural Exchange Camp, both designed to promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. These initiatives complement the SCO’s foundational values known as the “Shanghai Spirit,” which emphasizes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisations, and common development.
The forum also saw the release of a special report titled “Common Home: Public Opinion on the Development Visions in SCO Member States”, which captures shared aspirations and development outlooks across participating nations.
To provide delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s transformation, a media workshop tour is being held concurrently with the forum. The tour includes visits to Kashgar and other parts of Xinjiang, offering firsthand insights into local economic and cultural advancements.
Sessions throughout the event have reiterated the critical role of responsible and objective journalism in shaping global perspectives. Delegates called for the media to adopt an integrated and forward-looking approach, ensuring balanced reporting and supporting international cooperation.
By taking part in this influential forum, the Maldives joins a wider regional effort to advance cooperation in media and communication, demonstrating its openness to global engagement and its dedication to contributing to a shared future of prosperity.
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