Astrakhan Plays Key Role in North-South Transport Corridor
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the third international forum, “North-South Transport Corridor; New Horizons,” took place in Astrakhan, Russia, with over 400 participants from Russia, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, the UAE, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and other countries attending in person and online.
The core discussion focused on developing the North-South Transport Corridor as a crucial access route for Russia to the Middle East, East African, and Asian markets.
During the forum, a special session titled “Implementation of New International Projects with the Participation of Russian Regions and Representatives of Friendly Countries” featured a report by Tatiana Kucherova, head of international projects at TV BRICS. Kucherova emphasized the role of media cooperation in strengthening governmental relations, stating that TV BRICS not only exchanges information but also implements humanitarian initiatives and partners with national and international events in BRICS+ countries. She noted the significant potential for collaboration with Iran, adding that the network welcomes projects that enhance cultural, human, and economic ties.
The forum highlighted the increasing transport volume in the North-South Corridor, which has risen from 18 million tons in 2022 to 27 million tons in 2024. Projections estimate this volume will reach 46 million tons by 2030. The Astrakhan region has expressed its readiness to become a primary transportation and logistics hub.
Ilya Volynsky, acting deputy governor and head of the Astrakhan region’s government, referenced the Russian presidential decree on increasing transport volumes by 2030, noting the growing need to develop this route.
Dmitry Birichevsky, director of the Economic Cooperation Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the North-South Corridor is vital for ensuring economic security and serves as a critical component of Eurasia’s transport infrastructure.
The forum concluded with the announcement that a document containing practical proposals for the corridor’s development will be prepared, and the next event is scheduled for November 2026.
Established in 2000 with the participation of Russia, Iran, and India, the International North-South Transport Corridor is now a multimodal route connecting the Commonwealth of Independent States to the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.
