.jpg)
Day two of the WAVES Summit 2025 witnessed a historical moment as India hosted the Global Media Dialogue, bringing together Ministers, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and delegates from across the world.
Emphasising on creativity, culture, and collaboration as three anchors, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnav, on Thursday called for incentivizing local content, enforcing intellectual property rights, preserving cultural forms, and building government-to-government and industry collaborations, as a part of the Global Media Dialogue at the first edition of the ongoing WAVES Summit 2025.
He also underscored practical measures such as co-production treaties, easing talent movement, and establishing common standards for emerging technologies.
The Dialogue, envisioned as a government-to-government platform under WAVES, aims to harness the transformative potential of media and entertainment as tools for global harmony, creativity, and innovation.
In his keynote address, Vaishnav, emphasized the pivotal moment media finds itself in today.
“It’s a privilege for India to convene the first ever World Audiovisual Entertainment Summit, WAVES, and initiate the global media dialogue on this fabulous world of creativity,” said Vaishnav.
“We meet at an inflection point. Technologies are reshaping how we tell stories, how we create content, and how content is consumed. Globally, the media and entertainment industry is valued around US$3 trillion, but its true value lies in the empathy it creates, the ideas it conveys, and the future it helps us imagine,” he said.
Vaishnav identified three anchors for global dialogue: creativity, culture, and collaboration. He called for incentivizing local content, enforcing intellectual property rights, preserving cultural forms, and building government-to-government and industry collaborations.
He also underscored practical measures such as co-production treaties, easing talent movement, and establishing common standards for emerging technologies.
“Nothing happens in an island, we all have to collaborate for common success,” he noted, adding that a draft Global Media Dialogue Declaration had been circulated to all delegates to reflect shared aspirations.
Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, in his opening remarks, delved into the broader geopolitical and cultural significance of media in a transforming world. “We have a microcosm of the global community at WAVES—content creators, policymakers, actors, writers, producers, and visual artists. This conversation holds special significance as we discuss the contours of the emerging environment as policymakers,” the minister said.
Outlining five key points for global consideration, Jaishankar highlighted the role of culture in global transformation and the need to democratize the international system by amplifying diverse voices.
“It is not enough to assert political and economic independence. It is equally essential that we give voice to our traditions, our creativity, and our heritage. Each one has a right to express itself and must be facilitated to do so,” he said.
He emphasized that modernity should not reject the past but build on human achievements, suggesting that technology and tradition must go hand in hand. Jaishankar envisioned a global workforce, driven by smoother mobility and digital connectivity, while stressing the need to prepare young talent for the emerging “age of creative comms.”
On the future of artificial intelligence, Jaishankar was clear-eyed about its promises and perils.
“We all sense that the era of AI holds possibilities beyond imagination. But every advancement comes with issues —bias, authenticity, intellectual property. The responsible use of emerging technologies will be an increasing preoccupation,” he said.
He expressed confidence that WAVES would become a crucial platform to deliberate on the ethics, economics, and impact of media in an AI-driven world.
.jpg)
