Dr. Javad Mottaghi is an internationally recognized broadcaster with 44 years of national and international experience in broadcasting, capacity building, research, fundraising, news, and media for development.
Dr. Mottaghi serves as Lead of the Global Media Academy, an educational initiative led by UNU-INWEH aiming to strengthen knowledge and capacity on global water and climate change-related challenges, as well as promote science communication through targeted capacity building for media professionals, journalists, broadcasters, and social media influencers across the globe.
Dr. Mottaghi served as Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) from 2010 to 2023, overseeing its expansion and service to more than 250 media organizations in 71 countries, reaching 3.5 billion people. Under his leadership, the ABU achieved significant growth in membership, activities, and international cooperation. During his tenure at the ABU, he worked closely with UNESCO, ITU, ESCAP, UNDRR, UNDP, UNEP, UNICEF, World Broadcasting Union (WBU), European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Arab states Broadcasting Union (ASBU), African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), North American Broadcasting Association (NABA), Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), and other international organizations. Prior to this, he was Director of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) from 1998 to 2010, where he led more than 1,000 training, capacity-building initiatives, and advisory service in collaboration with international partners.
Dr. Mottaghi is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of International Business at HEC Montréal. He holds a PhD from the University of Teesside, England.