The Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Television Festival took place in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, under the theme “Uniting Civilizations: Audiovisual Cooperation for a Shared Future.” The event brought together around 300 delegates from 19 SCO member states, including top media executives, government officials, and industry experts, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation in the television sector across the region.
Organized by the General Directorate of Radio and Television Broadcasting of China, the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province, and the SCO Secretariat, the festival opened with welcoming remarks from Cao Shumin, Director of the General Directorate of Broadcasting and Television of China, and Zhao Gang, Governor of Shaanxi Province. Both highlighted the importance of mutual understanding and joint projects in shaping the future of media within SCO countries.
In his address, Batir Tursunov, Deputy Secretary General of the SCO, underscored the organization’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in the television industry. Referring to the 2019 intergovernmental agreement among SCO member states on mass media collaboration, Tursunov emphasized the importance of broad and comprehensive media coverage of SCO activities. He urged media outlets within the SCO community to help popularize the organization’s aims and values, thereby cultivating a supportive environment for wide-ranging cooperation.
Tursunov also called attention to the ongoing modernization and digital transformation of the television industry. He highlighted the necessity for joint efforts in personnel training and fostering connections among young journalists, which he described as vital for the sustainable growth of the sector. Additionally, he praised the festival, which was first established in 2023, for rapidly becoming a prominent platform for interaction and called for the active implementation of the joint declaration adopted at the event.
On the eve of the festival, Tursunov met with Cao Shumin to discuss prospects for further bilateral cooperation between the SCO Secretariat and China’s broadcasting authorities. The two officials exchanged views on strengthening media ties and advancing collaborative projects.
The festival served as a key forum for sharing expertise, building partnerships, and setting the agenda for continued audiovisual cooperation among SCO countries, reaffirming the organization’s role in uniting civilizations through innovative media initiatives.
