Minister urges stronger cultural dialogue to shape Asia’s future
Iran proposes launch of Asia Film Festival
Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance floated the idea of establishing an “Asia Film Festival” during a gathering of top Asian cultural officials in Hong Kong on Tuesday, offering Tehran as the host for its first edition.
The proposal came during the Asia Cultural Cooperation Forum (ACCF2025), which brings together ministers, cultural leaders, and representatives from over 30 nations, IRNA reported.
The event aims to boost regional exchanges, strengthen cultural diplomacy, and tackle shared challenges through dialogue and collaboration.
“As the world moves from a unipolar to a multipolar structure centered on Asia,” said Abbas Salehi, cultural cooperation has become “more important than ever” to foster understanding and stability across the region.
Salehi pointed to Asia’s rich tapestry of civilizations and vast human capital as a springboard for deeper partnerships. He stressed that Iran, with its strategic location and “civilizational heritage,” has always welcomed constructive cultural ties with its neighbors.
Turning to global crises, Salehi voiced strong concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling it “one of the ugliest human events” and describing Gaza as “an open wound” that intensifies the “human duty” of the global community.
Throughout his remarks, Salehi underscored the power of culture to “build peace” and promote “human dignity,” urging Asian nations to double down on shared projects, specialist working groups, and continued dialogue.
The ACCF2025, underway in Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region, features a packed agenda of workshops, roundtables, and expert meetings. Since its launch, the forum has sought to carve out a bigger role for cultural cooperation in shaping Asia’s future.