ITC North-South — a New Horizons and Opportunities

IV Astrakhan International Forum

25-27 November 2026

Quick entry to the premium markets of the Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, East Africa, and India

Welcoming remarks
Welcome Address by Sergey V. Lavrov,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

To the Organizers, Participants, and Guests of the 4th Astrakhan International Forum "ITC North-South — New Horizons and Opportunities", 1 October 2025

I extend my warm greetings to the organizers, participants, and guests of the 4th Astrakhan International Forum "ITC North-South — New Horizons and Opportunities."

The Forum has firmly established itself as a respected platform for dialogue, bringing together representatives of government authorities, the business community, and expert circles — all those committed to advancing the Astrakhan International Forum.

As the largest Eurasian nation, Russia makes a substantial contribution to maintaining peace and stability across our shared continent, home to several distinct civilizations. This objective lies at the heart of President Vladimir Putin's initiative to establish the Greater Eurasian Partnership, which envisions broad-based cooperation among the states and multilateral organizations of Eurasia.

Against this backdrop, our unquestionable priority is to further unlock the potential of the Astrakhan International Forum "ITC North-South — New Horizons and Opportunities." The goal is to connect northern Eurasia, the Caspian region, Central, South and Southeast Asia, and East Africa by developing efficient freight transport routes through major logistics hubs along the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

I am confident that the Forum will contribute to expanding broad international cooperation in support of this project as a key transport artery of Eurasia.

I wish you fruitful discussions and every success.
Welcome Address by Andrey S. Nikitin,
Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation
To the Organizers, Participants, and Guests of the 4th Astrakhan International Forum "ITC North-South — New Horizons and Opportunities"
Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, I am pleased to welcome the participants of the Forum, which has once again become a leading platform for dialogue on the present and future of the International Transport Corridor (ITC) North-South.

As a new global logistics architecture continues to take shape, the strategic importance of the ITC North-South has grown significantly. The Corridor serves as a reliable and efficient route connecting the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) with the promising markets of Iran, India, the Middle East, and East Africa. Today, more than ever, new horizons are opening up for expanding large-scale economic cooperation.
The Astrakhan Region is steadily reinforcing its role as a strategic hub and a key link in the Trans-Caspian route. The implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the development of the Caspian Special Economic Zone and the modernization of the Volga-Caspian Shipping Canal, clearly demonstrates our commitment to building a modern, efficient, and resilient logistics infrastructure.

Our shared objective is to focus our efforts on realizing the full potential of the Corridor. Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive approach, including the digitalization of logistics processes, the simplification of customs and administrative procedures, and increased investment in port infrastructure and rail connectivity.
I am confident that the Forum will provide an effective platform for developing practical solutions, concluding mutually beneficial agreements, and strengthening partnerships among government authorities, the business community, and the expert community.

I wish all participants productive discussions, a constructive exchange of views, and new business contacts for the benefit of the continued development of the ITC North-South as a major international transport artery.
Welcome Address by Igor Y. Babushkin
Governor of the Astrakhan Region
To the Organizers and Participants of the 4th Astrakhan International Forum
"ITC North-South — New Horizons and Opportunities. Fast Access to Premium Markets in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, East Africa, and India"
Dear Organizers and Participants,

I am pleased to welcome the organizers and participants of the 4th Astrakhan International Forum "ITC North-South — New Horizons and Opportunities."
For the third consecutive year, the Astrakhan Region has served as the venue for this important international event, reaffirming our region's role as a strategic territory and a key link in the Trans-Caspian section of the International Transport Corridor (ITC) North-South.

Against the backdrop of today's geopolitical environment, Russia is systematically expanding trade and logistics cooperation with its friendly partner countries. In this context, further enhancing the capabilities of the ITC North-South, while identifying promising trade and investment partners, is of particular importance.

Today, the Astrakhan Region is implementing major projects aimed at strengthening its logistics infrastructure. Development of the Caspian Cluster, comprising two special economic zones, is continuing, while modern port terminals are under construction. Large-scale dredging operations are also underway in the Volga-Caspian Maritime Shipping Canal, significantly increasing its navigational capacity. As a result, cargo throughput at the Astrakhan ports increased by 37 percent in 2024, exceeding 6 million tonnes, while the combined annual handling capacity of our ports currently stands at 16 million tonnes.

We are committed to expanding our business and economic ties with our international partners, and this Forum provides an excellent platform for fostering productive dialogue and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.

I am confident that this gathering of leading experts, government officials, and business representatives will help identify practical solutions to today's pressing challenges and contribute to the development of new international logistics links.

I wish all participants a productive and successful Forum.
Map of the International North-South Transport Corridor (ITC North-South), 2026: Actual Freight Flows
Map of the Indian Ocean



The Forum aims to help businesses in Russia and the CIS find new markets in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and the Global South along the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC).

The new concept of development of the North-South ITC is focused on the export and import needs of Russia and the CIS. The Forum aims to find practical logistics solutions, reduce shipping costs, and increase trade turnover without waiting for completion of the corridor infrastructure, for establishment of a single operator, etc.

North-South ITC – New Horizons and Opportunities
Fast entry into premium markets of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, East Africa, and India

Main issues and sessions of the Forum:



Investment opportunities of the North-South ITC – expansion of the network of transport and logistics centers, creation of trading houses in Iran, Oman and in the countries of the Middle East. FEZ and SEZ

East and Southern Africa in the margins of ​​the North-South ITC as a new market for exports with a population of 700 million. South and Southeast Asia

B2B meetings and “purchasing sessions” with buyers from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan involving interpreters. Export&Import market

Round tables on doing business in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. Export&Import marketing issues

Seminars and individual consultations on financial payments, insurance, legal and customs issues



New markets: demands and offers of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa

Post-war Iran: Prospects for business in Russia and the CIS

Three routes of the North-South ITC: offers of logistics companies of Russia, Iran, the CIS, Asia and Africa

Special session: exporting grain, legumes, oil, food products, and other products to Iran – how to ensure payment guarantees?

Tools and opportunities for international financial transactions under sanctions pressure. Cargo insurance and legal issues

Development of the North-South ITC – political, economic, customs and financial, sanctions and military issues

Forum participants will get information on:




The total market capacity for goods from Russia and the CIS in the North-South ITC with a total population of 3.5 bln people. The level of maturity and development of the markets of the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa, the share and number of middle class representatives;

Who and by what means supplies food, building materials and consumer goods to residents of Iran (92 mln people), Iraq (48 mln people), Afghanistan (45 mln people), Pakistan (260 mln people), the countries of the Arabian Peninsula (106 mln people);

The level of prices for goods produced in Russia and the CIS in the markets of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East and East Africa;

The available market niches in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa;

The opportunities for using the logistics capabilities of the North-South ITC for transit and parallel imports to the UAE, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia;

The opportunities and ways of fast delivery of perishable food products to Iran, Iraq, the UAE, Oman, the countries of the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East;




How Turkish companies manage to supply all of Africa with flour from grains from Russia and the CIS;

What is the reason for the absence of Russian warehouses in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, and etc. What food products fill the shelves of stores and supermarkets in Iraq and the Middle East;

How to create an effective sales network in Iran, Iraq, and the Middle East and be guaranteed to receive payment for goods and a good profit;

Why and for whom traders from the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and India buy Russian oil, petroleum products, LPG, petrochemicals, mineral fertilizers and coal;

How to organize swap trade with Iran for oil products, propane-butane, ammonia, methanol, mineral fertilizers and other goods;

How did the UAE become a trade hub for Africa and the Middle East, and what are the prospects for Oman. What is the cost of storing goods in the ports of the UAE, Oman, and Iran;

Where it is possible and necessary to invest in the North-South ITC in the creation of transport and logistics centers and trading houses;

Speakers

Valuable insights from smart people at top companies

Dmitriy Anatolyevich Birichevskiy

Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Ramazan Gadzhimuradovich Abdulatipov

Chairperson of the North-South Club

Andrey Evgenyevich PODENOK

President of the Moscow Association of Entrepreneurs (MAE); Vice President of OPORA; President of the Association of Exporters and Importers

Dzhamal Rasulovich Aliev

General Director of Makhachkala Sea Commercial Port JSC

Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Sharov

General Director of RusIranExpo Group

Dmitriy Borisovich Dubovik

Director of the Caspian International Integration Club "North-South"

Darya Yuryevna Golyzhnikova

C.E.S, Research Fellow, Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEF RAS); Senior Lecturer, Department of Oil and Gas Trading and Logistics, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University)

Tatyana Dmitrievna Kocherova

Head of International Projects, TV BRICS

Olga Aleksandrovna Dolzhenko

Head of the Astrakhan Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "TsOK APK"

Arash Khasan Amirkhanlu

Deputy Director of GBS SHIPPING LLC

Irina Valeryevna Zasedatel

Vice President of the Association of Exporters and Importers (MAP)

Agamir Geydarovich Ramazanov

General Director of Birlik Yoldash Tejarat Aras Co., Aras Free Economic Zone, Julfa, Islamic Republic of Iran

Galai Adel Khamadievich

Founder of Sheikh Communications; expert in negotiations with Arab counterparts and cross-cultural business communication between Russia and Arab countries; leading expert at the HSE Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (IGMU).

Ilya Viktorovich Fedulov

Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (IOS RAS) Research Fellow, Department of Economic Studies; Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal Oriental Analytics

VADIM VALERYeVICh GANIN

General Director of the Association "Business Center for Economic Development of the CIS"

Stanislav Stepanovich Sinchenko

President of the Astrakhan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Union

Marat Ruslanovich Zembatov

Member of the Russian-Omani Business Council under the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Transport Subgroup of the BRICS Business Council; Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research, HSE University; PhD in Economics

Lyudmila Viktorovna Teselkina

Founder of the JUST Group of Companies

Natalya Sergeevna Prokazova

General Director of the international export company Weconn

Adil Akavov

Managing Director of AK GROUP of Companies; Head of the Committee for Business Development with Turkey and the Middle East Countries, Association of Exporters and Importers

Aleksey Anatolyevich Zamkovoy

Deputy General Director of IERT JSC

Khaydar Mir Mir Afzal

Advisor to the General Director of the Afghan-Russian Joint Trading Company "Unification"

Artur Dmitrievich Leer

President of the Association of Exporters and Importers (MAP)

Sergey Igorevich Rybakov

Director of Strategic Development, RIFAMS Insurance Broker

Maksim Aleksandrovich Chistyakov

President of the Eurasian Business Association

Yuriy Alekseevich Shcherbanin

Professor, Doctor of Economics (D.Sc.); Head of Laboratory, Institute of Economic Forecasting, Russian Academy of Sciences; Head of Department, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University)

Anastasiya Bulatovna Akhmetova

Blogger and Public Figure (Kazakhstan)

Salim Alizade

Representative of the International Foreign Policy Association of the Russian Federation in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Deputy General Director of the Afghan-Russian Company "Unification"

Leonid Yuryevich Knyazev

Ivan Anatolyevich Avdeev

Head of the Advanced Financial Technologies Project, Payments Infrastructure Development Division, ROSEXIMBANK JSC, Russian Export Center Group

Petr Vladimirovich Kurenkov

Professor, Russian University of Transport (RUT (MIIT)); Full Member of the Russian and International Academies of Transport

Mokhammad Sadeg Mokhammad Bager Afsharian

Head of Logistics and Timber Export to the Islamic Republic of Iran, LLC Vector "North-South"; Representative of SSZ CJSC Sanat and Darya in Russia

Olga Ivanovna Kartashova

Director of the Admiral-General F.M. Apraksin Caspian Institute of Sea and River Transport — a branch of the Volga State University of Water Transport

Adlan Ramzanovich Margoev

Research Fellow, Institute for International Studies, MGIMO University

Mikhail Ivanovich Mizin

Head of the Department for External Relations and Relations with Public Organizations, GAP Resource

Data is being updated

Program architecture

Registration of participants
Welcoming coffee

08:30 — 09:30

Coffee break

11:30 — 11:50

Lunch

13:00 — 14:00

Offers of logistics companies of Russia, Iran, the CIS, Asia and Africa

14:00 — 16:40 Session 3

New markets: demands and offers of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa.

09:30 — 11:30 Plenary session 1

Visiting and acknowledgment with the capabilities of Astrakhan companies.

09:00 — 17:00
Welcoming coffee and departure from Marins Grand Hotel in Astrakhan. Travel by bus or minibus to three ports (companies). Lunch in a cafeteria along the route.

THURSDAY

NOVEMBER 26

Coffee break

16:40 — 17:00
19:30 — 24:00

Gala dinner

Development of North-South ITC – perspectives and political, economic, organizational, sanctions and military issues

17:00 — 18:30 Session 4

WEDNESDAY

NOVEMBER 25

Advance registration for participation in the Forum will be available on 25th of November, from 9:00 to 18:00 at Marins Grand Hotel, Astrakhan.

New tools and opportunities for financial transactions and international payments under sanctions pressure.

11:50 — 13:00 Session 2

Welcoming coffee

08:30 — 09:30

East and Southern Africa in the North-South ITC as a new market for Russian goods with a population of 700 mln. South and Southeast Asia.

09:30 — 11:30 Session 1

Coffee break

11:30 — 12:00

Implementation of new international
projects with the participation of regions of Russia, Iran and representatives of friendly countries.

12:00 — 14:00 Session 2

On November 26, broadcasting of speeches from the City Hall will take place in Volga Hall and VIP ares.

Exchange of Export&Import Offers and Contacts will operate in Volga Hall on November 26 from 12.00.

On November 27 from 10:00 to 17:00 at the Marins Grand Hotel Astrakhan, round tables and seminars will be held in parallel to the main sessions in the additional halls:

Lunch

14:00 — 15:00

Final coffee break

17:00 — 19:00

Exchange of Export&Import Offers and Contacts – Volga Hall
B2B meetings as part of the interregional Business Mission – Volga Hall – organized by the Export Support Center of the Astrakhan SME Support Fund (MSF). "Purchasing sessions" mean B2B meetings with buyers from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan involving the interpreters
Roundtable discussion: "Working with the Iranian Business Community. Proposals and Requests from Iranian Businesses." Discussion with business leaders from Russia, Iran, the CIS, and other countries
Roundtable discussion: "Working with the Iraqi Business Community. Iraqi Requests."
Discussion with business leaders from Russia, Iraq, the CIS, and other countries
Roundtable discussion: "Working with the Afghan Business Community. Afghanistan's Requests." Discussion with business leaders from Russia, Afghanistan, the CIS, and other countries
Roundtable discussion: "Working with the Pakistani Business Community. Pakistan's Requests." Discussion with business leaders from Russia, Pakistan, the CIS, and other countries
Seminar/consultation on financial payments and cargo insurance issues
Seminar/consultation on customs issues related to export and import
Seminar/consultation on export-import marketing and parallel import issues
Seminar/consultation on legal issues in Iran and the Middle East

New concept of North-South ITC, development perspectives.

15:00 — 17:00 Session 3

Roundtable discussion of Forum follow-up.
Format: brief discussion presentations. Summary and adoption of a resolution.

Optional programs:
Container, refrigerated cargo, timber, and general purpose ports + Kutum railway station

Astrakhan ports for grain, oil, and general purpose cargo

Dry port, Kutum railway station + general purpose ports
Astrakhan oil ports

Lotus SEZ, Narimanov shipyard

Other programs upon commercial request

FRIDAY

NOVEMBER 27

Contact us
Contact us,

If you would like to become a conference partner,
we will discuss the details.

MEDIA PARTNERS

For media accreditation

For media accreditation inquiries:
Miretina Radmila Alimbikovna
PR manager of the Forum
tel. +7 (927) 282-64-58
e-mail: akradmila@yandex.ru

PARTNERS

founders

Moscow: Yulia Sergeevna Volkova
tel. +7 (926) 263-42-58
e-mail: astrakhan.forum@mail.ru

Astrakhan: Yulia Sergeevna Dubovik
tel. +7 (927) 078-70-79
e-mail: yuliyabubnova14@mail.ru

Moscow: Svetlana Anatolyevna Loginova
tel. +7 (966) 357-70-97
e-mail: sv.77loginova@mail.ru

Moscow: Aisa Basangova
tel. +7 (916) 266-73-15
e-mail: rusiran.ekspo@mail.ru

Contact details of managers for registration:

Iran: Salim Akhmedovich Aliev
tel. +98 (910) 245-23-12
e-mail: salim.alizadeh@mail.ru

Tambov: Nikolai Viktorovich Denisov
tel. +7 (905) 085-83-02
e-mail: ruspers-ex@yandex.ru

Minsk, Belarus: Mikhail Leonovich Sudas
tel. +37 (529) 646-51-55
e-mail: mlsudas@mail.ru

Grand Hotel, Astrakhan


Astrakhan, st. Kuibysheva, 69

Forum Venue

A discount on accommodation is available to forum participants at Astrakhan hotels, including Marins Grand Hotel Astrakhan, Victoria Palace, and others.

Additional materials

2024 in Review: How It Happened

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