TEHRAN- The Caspian Media Forum commenced on Saturday in Astrakhan, Russia, with the participation of an Iranian delegation.

Representatives from the Caspian Sea's coastal nations, along with delegates from Moldova and Uzbekistan, attended this one-day summit.

Keynote speeches will be delivered by Igor Babushkin, the Governor of Astrakhan, and the deputy head of Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, and Kazem Jalali, the Iranian envoy to Russia.

The IX Caspian Media Forum aims to unite statesmen, journalists, and experts from various countries, focusing on the theme “The dialogue of cultures as the basis for the Caspian development.”

Governor Babushkin expressed confidence that the forum would serve as an effective platform for media collaboration and cultural unity among the peoples of the Caspian region, stating, “Participants will exchange tools and strategies to enhance quality and foster cultural dialogue.”

Approximately 120 foreign guests are expected to attend, including government officials, regional representatives, experts, and media personnel from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and beyond.

Among the largest delegations will be from the Islamic Republic of Iran, featuring Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Davoud Mirzakhani, Iran’s consul general in Kazan, and Abbas Mohammadian, the head of the general directorate of information at Iran’s Ministry of Culture.