Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | The Republic of Uzbekistan hosted an international media forum to introduce the history and scientific and cultural heritage of Islamic civilization to the world through modern media and digital technology.

The Tashkent International Media Forum, themed ‘Islamic Civilization: A New Perspective – New Discoveries,’ was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, from August 24 to 25 this year. Some 300 journalists, media experts, researchers, producers, publishers, and representatives from the culture and creative industries from about 50 countries around the world participated in this forum. Representatives from international media outlets such as CNN, Euronews, and BBC Studios also attended to discuss ways to convey the historical heritage of Islamic civilization through modern media content and explore possibilities for international media cooperation.

The main venue of the forum was the Center for Islamic Civilization, which opened this year. Participants examined the center's exhibitions, ancient manuscripts, and historical artifacts, and explored ways to share the historical achievements of Islamic civilization--its contributions to the scientific and cultural development of humanity--with the world through modern media.

Bringing historical heritage to modern media… new cultural content in the AI Era:
A key agenda item at this forum was the method of conveying history and cultural heritage through various media formats, such as broadcasting, documentaries, and digital content, rather than relying solely on traditional exhibitions and publications.

In particular, attention was focused on the potential for utilizing new digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in the production and dissemination of cultural heritage content. Discussions were held on ways to reconstruct historical materials and stories of ancient civilizations into new media formats to deliver them more effectively to the global public, including the younger generation.

The forum also featured documentary screenings, presentations on media projects, and introductions to international publishing projects. Journalists, broadcasters, publishers, and researchers shared their experiences to explore the potential for the international dissemination of historical and cultural content and the possibility of joint projects.

President Mirziyoyev’s message which emphasized the credibility of journalism:
At the opening ceremony, Sherzod Asadov, the Presidential Press Secretary, delivered a message on behalf of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that the establishment and operation of the Center for Islamic Civilizations would play a crucial role in promoting Uzbekistan’s history and cultural heritage to the world, and expressed his hope that the center and the heritage of Islamic civilizations would become widely known to the international community through this international media forum.

Amidst the rapidly changing media landscape driven by advancements in AI and digital technology, the importance of journalism that possesses accuracy and credibility was also highlighted. The rationale is that while new technologies can increase the efficiency of content production, they can also raise the potential for the spread of false and misinformation; therefore, the forum emphasizes the need to uphold the fundamental principles of journalism alongside the utilization of technology.
Global media officials, including those from CNN, Euronews, and BBC participated in the meeting.

This forum was attended by representatives from major global media outlets, including CNN, Euronews, and BBC Studios.

Klaus Strunds, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Euronews, emphasized the growing international importance of Central Asia at the forum and highlighted the need for communication and cooperation between Europe and Central Asia.

Journalists and producers from around the world examined Uzbekistan's historical and cultural heritage firsthand and shared their views on the potential to develop it into documentaries, broadcasts, publications, and digital content.

Korea Diplomacy Journal Reporter Kim Tae-Yeon delivered his speech entitled, ‘Korea is Watching'
From Korea, Reporter Kim Tae-Yeon of the Diplomacy Journal participated in a program linked to the forum and delivered a lecture titled ‘Korea is Watching’ at New Uzbekistan University. In his lecture, Reporter Kim introduced examples of Korea’s cultural diplomacy and media utilization, and explained the dissemination of cultural content and methods of international communication using social media.

In particular, amidst the growing importance of digital media as a means of communication connecting nations and cultures, he shared Korea’s experiences in communicating with the world through cultural content and social media, and discussed with students the role media can play in cultural diplomacy.

Organized under the theme "Korea is Watching," this lecture served as an opportunity to introduce Korea’s cultural diplomacy and digital media utilization experiences to the younger generation of Uzbekistan, while also exploring the potential for media and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Historical Heritage, Including the "Ottoman Quran," also attracted the attention of the participants.

The Center for Islamic Civilization, the main venue of the forum, is a cultural and educational space established to systematically introduce the Islamic civilization heritage of Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

The center features exhibitions showcasing academic achievements in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, as well as ancient manuscripts and historical artifacts, in addition to the history of Islamic civilization. In particular, a 7th-century manuscript known as the Uthmanic Quran is on display, and this documentary heritage is listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World program.

By introducing such historical materials through modern exhibitions and digital technology, Uzbekistan is highlighting Islamic civilization not merely as a religious history, but as a legacy that contributed to the development of human scholarship, science, and culture.

Connecting Cultural Heritage and Media… A New Chapter in International Cooperation:
This Tashkent International Media Forum is significant in that it explored the possibility of going beyond the preservation of history and cultural heritage to sharing it with the world through international media and developing it into new content.

In particular, at a time when the methods of content production and distribution are rapidly changing due to the advancement of AI and digital media, attempts to convey historical records and cultural heritage through a new media language have garnered attention.

The presentation by Korean reporter Kim Tae-Yeon at the University of New Uzbekistan, introducing Korea's cultural diplomacy and examples of social media utilization, is also considered an example of such international media exchange. Uzbekistan possesses a rich historical and cultural heritage, including Samarkand and Bukhara, which were centers of the Silk Road. Attention is focused on whether this forum will serve as an opportunity to expand international cooperation aimed at connecting these legacies with international media and promoting them to the world through various means, such as documentaries, broadcasting, publishing, and digital content.