TEHRAN – The​ Iranian tourism minister has underlined the new government’s dedication to fostering peace, dialogue, and regional collaboration as pillars of tourism progress.

Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri on Tuesday evening emphasized Iran’s ongoing efforts to showcase its cultural heritage and expand its diplomatic relations through tourism and cultural exchange.

He made the remarks in a meeting with ambassadors and envoys from member states of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue held at the National Museum of Iran.

Among the attendees were Mohammad Javad Zarif, the vice president for strategic affairs; Mehran Fatemi, the governor-general of Yazd province; and several senior officials from Iran's Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.

In his speech, Salehi-Amiri stressed that the new Iranian administration under President Masoud Pezeshkian is committed to advancing peace, cooperation, and understanding on both a regional and international scale.

“The path set by the fourteenth government is one that leads to peace, dialogue, interaction, agreement, and consensus,” Salehi-Amiri said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the minister expressed his gratitude to the foreign ambassadors present, highlighting their attendance as a symbol of the importance of tourism and cultural cooperation.

“The presence of each and every one of you is an acknowledgment of the significance of tourism, and it also emphasizes the Islamic Republic of Iran’s commitment to fostering relationships in cultural domains, including tourism,” he said.

The session was part of the lead-up to a major upcoming ACD event, set to be hosted in the ancient city of Yazd, which has been selected as the tourism capital of the ACD for 2024.

 Salehi-Amiri emphasized that the upcoming event would not just be about promoting tourism but also serve as a platform for diplomacy. “Our vision goes beyond tourism. Tourism is a space for dialogue among nations alongside the interaction of governments. The ACD summit will be an opportunity to foster a deeper connection between cultures, promoting peace and co-existence through the tourism sector,” he stated.

Furthermore, the minister highlighted the immense potential of the ACD as a platform for regional integration. The organization, which consists of 35 member countries, represents a significant portion of the world's population and has the capacity to promote public and cultural diplomacy. “The combined capacity of ACD member countries is immense, with a population that spans hundreds of millions.”

This demographic can play a pivotal role in advancing public and cultural diplomacy, creating new opportunities for cooperation and mutual understanding across Asia, the minister added.

Yazd, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its ancient architecture and rich cultural history, has been chosen as the tourism capital of the ACD for 2024. The upcoming event in Yazd will be attended by ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from ACD member countries.

The event in Yazd is seen as an opportunity for Iran to highlight its tourism offerings to the international community. Salehi-Amiri echoed this opportunity, calling on ACD member states to work together to promote the country’s cultural heritage. “I ask all of you to join us in showing the world a beautiful, real, and safe image of Iran by participating in this important event,” he urged the attendees.

Some local officials, including the head of the Yazd Islamic City Council, have expressed their enthusiasm for the international exposure this event will bring to the city. According to Seifi, “Yazd’s selection as the tourism capital presents a unique opportunity for both the province and the country to harness the tourism, economic, and cultural potential of this ancient city.”

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue, established in 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand, aims to enhance regional integration and cooperation among Asian governments and organizations.

AM