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The quality journalism has never been so vital for societies everywhere.

Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova made the remark in a video message while addressing to the participants of the 5th News Agencies World Congress in Baku November 16.

“In moving forward, I believe our starting point is clear,” she said. “This is our belief in the importance of independent, ethical and pluralistic media for human rights and dignity, for the rule of law and good governance, for democracy and sustainable development.”

Bokova thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for this initiative.

Speaking at the event John Daniszewski, an editor at the Associated Press said that Azerbaijan hosts a very important event, which brings together almost all of the world news agencies to talk about issues of press freedom.

As the host of the event, Azerbaijan exposes a lot of people to the country, and gives them an opportunity to see the developments taking place there, he added.

Azerbaijan hosts the 5th News Agencies World Congress, the 16th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and the 22nd session of the Council of CIS Heads of News Agencies November 16.

Co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s state new agency AZERTAC, these events bring together heads and representatives of about 100 news agencies, which shape the global information policy, international media experts, UN - UNESCO official, and representatives of regional media organizations.

Getachew Engida, UNESCO deputy director general, for his part, said that the 5th News Agencies World Congress is an important event for the world media outlets.

“This is an incredibly important event,” he said. “It is an opportunity for heads and editors of news agencies to come around together once a year or two years, exchange experience, challenges, opportunities and environment in which they operate.”

“Baku is a wonderful city beyond my expectations,” he said.

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