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Minister vows to promote cultural heritage, tourism as key to peace and security
Salehi Amiri became the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts on August 21, 2024, with 168 votes in favor out of 288 votes. He began his work on August 24.
In his inaugural speech, Salehi Amiri said that the world should view Iran through the lens of its heritage and arts, rather than its defense and nuclear capabilities, IRNA wrote.
“The world should study Iran from the perspective of its heritage and art, not its defense and nuclear capabilities,” he said.
Salehi Amiri emphasized that tourism is a guarantee of peace and security, and that the country needs to remove obstacles and work towards development and progress.
“We must stop the migration of our young people and make them proud of their past and hopeful for their future,” he said.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said that the country’s rich cultural heritage is a symbol of its civilization and a source of national pride, and that the tourism industry has the potential to create 100,000 sustainable jobs annually.
Aref praised the efforts of the former minister, Ezzatollah Zarghami, and welcomed the new minister, saying he is one of the country’s prominent cultural figures.
Aref emphasized that cultural heritage is a national treasure that must be preserved and passed on to future generations.
He noted that Iran’s cultural heritage is a source of national pride and a key indicator of the country’s rich cultural identity, both domestically and internationally.
The vice president also highlighted the importance of handicrafts as a tool for regional diplomacy, saying that it is an area where Iran can build bridges with other countries.
The new minister also highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in elevating Iran’s status in the region and the world.
“Cultural heritage is a source of pride and a means of elevating Iran’s status in the region and the world,” he said.
Salehi Amiri’s predecessor, Ezzatollah Zarghami, praised the new minister as a “dedicated, creative, and interactive” individual who is well-suited to lead the ministry.
“He has a number of positive qualities, including being a good manager, creative, and interactive,” Zarghami said. “These are valuable qualities, especially in the tourism sector, which is a cross-sectional field.”
He also highlighted the progress made in the tourism sector, including the lifting of visa requirements for citizens of 30 countries.
“We have made significant progress in the tourism sector, including the lifting of visa requirements for citizens of 30 countries, which is a major opportunity for the country,”
he said.