Minister flags cultural diversity as key to nat’l progress
Iran’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities are seen as key drivers for the country’s economic and social development, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Monday at the 24th Strategic Council meeting of his ministry.
Speaking at the ministry’s headquarters, Salehi-Amiri reviewed past management experiences in heritage, tourism and handicrafts and stressed the need for “targeted and sustained” engagement between the ministry and provincial administrations, IRNA reported.
Iran’s ministry is aiming to institutionalize a more coherent system of planning and oversight for provincial projects, seeking to tie cultural preservation and tourism development directly to measurable economic outcomes.
Officials must engage directly with local communities, schedule visits and projects with precision, and ensure managerial accountability to realize sustainable development.
Salehi-Amiri said sitting in offices without active provincial interaction yields limited results. “Planning, targeted trips, and responsive management are conditions for national development success,” he said.
He highlighted the role of governors and local managers in reinforcing the central–provincial link, ensuring projects deliver tangible and lasting benefits.
The minister further underscored the importance of ethnic and cultural identity in Iran. “Iran is a diverse society, and all ethnicities and cultures are officially recognized,” Salehi-Amiri said.
He stressed that nothing should hinder the preservation and promotion of local languages, literature, traditions, and customs. Young Iranians remain deeply connected to their national culture and the country’s historical civilization.
Salehi-Amiri noted, “Iran is home to all ethnic groups. Respecting local language, culture and identity is part of national development and an invaluable cultural wealth. This diversity is a major asset for the country’s cultural, social and economic advancement.”