Anadolu to stay at helm of Balkan News Agencies Union-Southeast Europe through next year

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) – As the Balkan News Agencies Union-Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) met Thursday in Istanbul, it was confirmed that Anadolu will continue at the group’s helm through 2025.

Hosted by Anadolu, the meeting brought together key figures from the region's news agencies, including Anadolu President and CEO Serdar Karagoz, who now heads the ABNA-SE, along with Anadolu Deputy General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan​​​​​​​, ABNA-SE Secretary General Kiril Valchev from the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), and other representatives.

In his opening remarks, Karagoz stressed the pivotal role technology plays in media today, drawing attention to discussions of artificial intelligence at the current conference.

"If there’s one thing everyone is talking about – in the streets, in our houses, in schools – it’s technology," Karagoz said.

He spotlighted Türkiye’s leadership in hosting TEKNOFEST, the world’s largest technology festival, which attracts nearly 2 million participants annually to witness the latest innovations.

"This year, it will be in (the southern Turkish city of) Adana, and we’re expecting more than 2 million young people, from age 10 to 60," he added, stressing how deeply technology is integrated into Turkish society.

"Our kids, students, everybody in this country, we believe that with technology, we can build a better world."

Karagoz also detailed how Anadolu has been at the forefront of technological innovation, especially in artificial intelligence.

"At our company, we have a special department focused on artificial intelligence. I encourage all news agencies to engage more and more with technology," he said.

"It helps our world, makes us more competitive, and allows us to serve our countries better."

- Anadolu to lead ABNA-SE in 2025

During the assembly, Anadolu was reaffirmed as continuing its ABNA-SE presidency through 2025. During the meeting, Karagoz highlighted the significance of supporting collaborative activities among news agencies, particularly those that foster outreach beyond traditional regions.

"So it makes us stronger and dynamic ... I'm always supporting these kinds of activities, and I believe that it also helps your potential to reach others."

"Anadolu wants to reach others – everywhere. The Middle East, Latin America, Far East – our region is big, and we support all alliances and projects," Karagoz said, stressing the importance of building global connections.

The assembly also decided that the North Macedonia News Agency (MIA) and Greek news agency AMNA would join the ABNA-SE Board alongside Anadolu and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), strengthening the union’s cooperative network.

Participants also discussed upcoming projects and proposed regulatory changes for the 2025 meeting. Looking ahead, the group’s 2025, 2026, and 2027 general assembly meetings will be held in North Macedonia, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, respectively, they agreed.

Reflecting on the outcome of the meeting, Karagoz expressed optimism about the future. "We will be stronger next year than today," he said, anticipating continued progress for the union under Anadolu’s leadership.

- Conference focused on 'Navigating AI and Media'

The ABNA-SE delegation convened on Tuesday for its 32nd general assembly and conference, hosted by Anadolu in Istanbul. An opening cocktail party in Istanbul’s Umraniye district brought together leaders and representatives from news agencies across the Balkans, Mediterranean, and Europe.

On Wednesday, the conference, titled "Navigating AI and Media," focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and media. Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir was in attendance, along with Karagoz and Kiril Valchev, ABNA-SE’s secretary general.

The general assembly concluded on Thursday with a group photo of the representatives from ABNA-SE member agencies, followed by a cultural tour of Istanbul and a farewell dinner later that day.