The Caspian Media Forum is building a united community of experts from the five countries bordering the Caspian Sea, helping to deepen mutual understanding among them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
“The forum makes a significant contribution to the implementation of numerous international cultural and humanitarian projects. One result has been forming a unified Caspian expert community dedicated to seeking balanced solutions for the region’s sustainable development, as well as fostering friendship and mutual understanding among the peoples of the five countries,” Lavrov stated in a greeting read at the forum’s opening ceremony in Astrakhan.
Lavrov noted that over recent years, the media forum has become “a respected platform for discussion, bringing together prominent representatives from government, the media, and public and business circles of the five Caspian states.”
He also recalled that since 2023 the forum has held federal status, featuring seminars for young leaders in politics, society, academia, and business, as well as the international classical arts festival “Caspian Seasons.” “Such evolution fully reflects the broadening, multifaceted partnership between our countries,” Lavrov concluded, wishing forum participants successful discussions and all the best.
About the Forum
The idea for the forum emerged at the 2014 summit of the Caspian ‘Five’ (Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan). The first Caspian Media Forum took place in Astrakhan in 2015. Since then, a Caspian editorial office and expert club have been established in Astrakhan, and information exchanges are held regularly.
The forum is organized by the Astrakhan regional government with support from the Russian Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture. TASS is the event’s official media partner. Events will be streamed on TASS’s official channels and the Caspian Media Forum website.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials