Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin held the first meeting of the Organising Committee for preparing and holding the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum” in 2025. The event also summed up the results of the forum held this year. Taking part in the event were Presidential Aide Anton Kobyakov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, and representatives of ministries and departments.
In line with President Vladimir Putin’s decision made in 2024, all the forum events were held at the federal level for the second time. Every year the interest in the forum is growing, and its business agenda is expanding. This year, record high indicators were achieved. The forum brought together representatives of 87 countries and 87 Russian regions, including countries of the CIS, the Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia.
“Our partners from Islamic countries clearly understand the Russian Federation’s position regarding a just and multipolar world order, and assert it by being open for constructive cooperation. The main thing is that Russia has become closer to these countries, including in tourism and trade. The forum held over 150 sessions, which resulted in over 120 agreements signed. The meeting of the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Group was one of the main events, which featured senior officials from Turkmenistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. I hope that we will hold the next forum also at a high level. Today, in the context of anti-Russia sanctions and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, the forum has a special role in expanding and strengthening Russia’s ties with the countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,” Marat Khusnullin said. He also thanked everyone involved in preparing and holding the forum in 2024.
Presidential Aide, Executive Secretary of the Organising Committee Anton Kobyakov noted that Kazan demonstrated its exceptional ability to host large international events in 2024, becoming a venue for the most important ones such as the BRICS summit, the first open BRICS Sports Games, and the Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum international economic forum, which has been held for 16 years, and will be held in Kazan at the federal level for the third time in 2025.
“The forum will become the first large event after celebrating the 80th anniversary of our nation’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War next May. In this context, it was decided to use special anniversary emblems on the forum website. I would like to also note the development of Halal Expo, an exhibition of halal products, as well as the forum’s extensive cultural programme and the hospitality of Tatarstan. The President of Russia specially noted the special competencies accumulated by Kazan in holding major international events. Thanks to its unique geographic location and cultural diversity, the capital of Tatarstan has proven to be a leading host centre, and we will certainly develop this area. The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” has become a reputable platform where cooperation between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is discussed. I am confident that the readiness of the Tatarstan leadership and Kazan government to work at a high level and develop the city infrastructure will create all necessary conditions to hold the forum as a sustainable platform for the development of Russian-Islamic cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, and other areas once again next year,” Anton Kobyakov noted.
“KazanForum is an important economic vector of the large work carried out by the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Group I led at the instruction of the President of Russia. We would like to thank Vladimir Putin for giving the forum the federal status, as well as the Russian Government and personally Marat Khusnullin for their constant support. The upcoming KazanForum will take place in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory of our people in the Great Patriotic War. This imposes a special responsibility on us in holding events. We believe that this most important event must be reflected in the agenda of KazanForum and the meeting of the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Group. I believe that through joint efforts, the upcoming events will be organised at a high and proper level,” Head of Tatarstan, Deputy Chairman of the KazanForum Organising Committee Rustam Minnikhanov said.
During the discussion of the 2025 forum programme, Marat Khusnullin issued several instructions, including on organising a number of business events, expanding the participation of Russian regions in the fair of halal product manufacturers, as well as preparing a catalogue of halal tourist routes for travel around Russia to be presented at the forum.
The Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum International Economic Forum has been held in Kazan annually since 2009. The key objective of the event is to develop economic, trade, social, and cultural relations between Russia and Islamic countries.