"We are ready to share our experience": Khusnullin, Lavrov, and Minnikhanov announced KazanForum 2026

      At KazanForum, the Central Banks of OIC countries will hold their congress for the first time

      Sergey Lavrov on KazanForum: There are good foundations in the fields of culture, education, and science

      A meeting of the leadership of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" with ambassadors of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) took place today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia's reception house in Moscow. Participants discussed the current situation in the Middle East and the agenda for the upcoming XVII International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum," for which invitations are already being sent out. "Invitations to KazanForum are being sent through Russian diplomatic and trade representations in OIC member states. We will be happy to welcome delegations from all your countries to hospitable Kazan. There are good foundations in humanitarian areas in culture, education, and science. Active contacts through clergy, youth, and other public organizations help Muslims around the world better know our country," noted the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov. An important role in the development of Russia's partnership with the OIC is played by the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World," headed by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. This year, this platform has become unique in representation and thematic coverage and is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, he added.

      The theme of the plenary session at KazanForum will be technological and financial initiatives

      The key event of the forum will traditionally be the plenary session, where the most relevant topics of interaction between Russia and the Islamic world are raised. "In just a month, the capital of our republic – Kazan – will once again become the center of international dialogue. During these days, the XVII International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum" will take place. The theme of the plenary session is "From Points on the Map to Growth Points: Uniting Technological and Financial Initiatives," reported Rustam Minnikhanov. Last year, about 8,500 people from 96 countries and 82 subjects of Russia participated in its business program. Among them were leaders of more than 35 diplomatic missions accredited in Moscow. At KazanForum, there will be an annual meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" on the topic "Common Values as the Basis for Cooperation and Mutual Understanding between Russia and the Islamic World," as well as two round tables dedicated to the topics of cultural-humanitarian and interreligious interaction, as well as scientific-technical and economic cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world. An important direction that will be discussed at KazanForum will be the development of the media sphere. "At the KazanForum, the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World," in partnership with the Republican Agency for Press and Mass Communications "Tatmedia" and the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, will hold a Media Forum for representatives of Islamic countries. It is planned to discuss new technological challenges facing the journalistic community of the world as a whole and the Global South in particular," he explained.

      Russia will share its experience in restoring territories

      The exchange of technologies and experience in the construction sector will be a particularly relevant topic at KazanForum in light of events in the Middle East, believes Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. "By the decision of Vladimir Putin, KazanForum will be held at the federal level for the fourth time this year. A rich business program has already been formed, within which issues from various sectors will be addressed, including our interaction with Islamic countries in the field of construction. In the current situation, this area is especially relevant – when it comes not only to development but also to post-conflict recovery. Russia has unique experience and technologies that can be in demand for the restoration of destroyed cities and infrastructure. We are ready to share this experience," he emphasized. Special attention is required for the development of key transport arteries "North-South" and "West-East" – to ensure food security, stability of supplies, and the creation of alternative logistics routes, Khusnullin added. Rustam Minnikhanov shared his opinion on the situation in the Middle East. "Unfortunately, it is precisely in the blessed month of Ramadan that, under the guise of a renewed negotiation process, an act of aggression by the USA and Israel against Iran was committed. In this regard, we are deeply concerned about the subsequent escalation in the Middle East, strikes on the territory of our respected partners from other Muslim states, and the destruction of infrastructure. The Russian Federation consistently advocates for the swift diplomatic settlement and normalization of the situation in the region," he said. At the same time, the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the humanitarian disaster that has arisen there, and the closure of access to the Islamic shrine – the Al-Aqsa Mosque – has taken a back seat but has not disappeared, added the President of Tatarstan.

      Partnership finance is one of the key topics of the forum

      For the first time, a congress of the Central Banks of OIC countries will be held at KazanForum, where the key topic will be partnership finance, said the head of the Investment Development Agency of Tatarstan Taliya Minullina. "Islamic finance is one of the central topics of the forum. For the first time, the National Bank of Russia will hold such a congress. Representatives from 24 countries have been invited. They will discuss partnership financing as a driver for infrastructure development and sustainable growth," she explained. An exhibition of investment projects proposed for implementation in Russia will also be organized at "Kazan Expo." "We have gathered several hundred investment projects from all regions of Russia with an investment volume of over 1 billion rubles. This is our business, which offers investors from Islamic countries to become participants in their initiatives in technological and financial terms," Minullina noted.

      At Kazan Halal Market, products will be presented by Turkmenistan, Jordan, and other countries

      From May 12 to 17, Kazan Halal Market will take place, where producers from different countries will present their products. "Every year, Kazan Halal Market becomes more and more large-scale. Food products, cosmetics, clothing, memorabilia, accessories, and household goods are represented there. This year, there will be not only Russian producers but also Turkmenistan, Jordan, and other countries," continued the head of the Investment Development Agency of Tatarstan. Ministers of culture from Islamic countries will also come to the forum, where a ceremony will be held to open the year "Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World." Representatives from Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and other countries have already confirmed their participation. Additionally, as part of the forum, there will be a fashion show by designers from Islamic countries. Collections will be presented by designers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, and Russia, Minullina added. A significant part of the cultural program is expected to be the exhibition "Paradise Gardens," dedicated to Islam in Russia, emphasized the assistant to the President of Tatarstan Marat Gatins. It will be organized by the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan in collaboration with the Museum of the East and the Marjani Foundation.

      Photo: rais.tatarstan.ru