SAEDNEWS: Iran, with its rich cultural and historical heritage, has the potential to become the hub of tourism and handicrafts in the Caspian Sea region, said Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri.
According to Saed News Agency, Reza Salehi Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, spoke on Tuesday at the “Caspian: Bridge for Friendship and Regional Development” summit in Rasht, which brought together governors from 12 provinces across five Caspian littoral countries.
Salehi Amiri highlighted that Iran boasts over one million recognized historical and cultural sites, 43,000 of which are nationally registered. Additionally, 29 tangible sites are on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, while 28 intangible cultural assets and more than 58 sites enjoy temporary UNESCO recognition, pending full registration in the coming years.
“Iran’s history, culture, poetry, and traditions are closely intertwined with those of our neighbors, providing a strong foundation for renewed collaboration in culture, tourism, and handicrafts,” Salehi Amiri stated.
He referenced Iran’s ancient civilizations—including the Safavid, Sassanid, Islamic, and Achaemenid periods—as well as key sites such as Shahr-e Sukhteh and Hegmataneh, underlining the country’s six-thousand-year cultural and historical legacy that can foster regional cooperation.
The minister stressed that Iran’s rich heritage positions the country as a hub for tourism, handicrafts, and cultural partnerships across the Caspian region, with the summit serving as a significant step toward achieving this vision.
The Caspian Governors’ Summit opened Tuesday in Rasht, the capital of Gilan Province, with participation from 12 provinces across five regional countries. Initiated by Iran, the gathering includes five Iranian governors and seven representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.
The summit features a general panel and three specialized panels focusing on economy and investment, transit and logistics, and environment and fisheries, all moderated by senior national and provincial officials.
Throughout the event, governors and official delegations aim to strengthen economic, environmental, cultural, and tourism cooperation, discuss joint projects, enhance transit along the North-South corridor, activate port capacities, and establish inter-provincial trade arrangements.
The summit also provides a platform to boost Caspian tourism, coordinate regional policies, highlight the agricultural, industrial, and investment potential of coastal provinces, and facilitate joint trade exhibitions.
The Caspian Sea region holds strategic importance for trade, energy, and environmental resources. Cooperation among coastal provinces can drive regional development, promote cross-border trade, protect the environment, and strengthen tourism. Events like this summit offer an official forum for dialogue, showcase investment opportunities, and align regional policies to foster economic and cultural collaboration.
