Published on: 2026-05-19
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” has concluded its work in the capital of TatarstanÂ2026, in which representatives of 99 countries and 75 subjects of the Russian Federation took part. The forum welcomed more than 250 honorary guests, and its coverage was provided by 529 media representatives from 20 countries.
“This year, about 10 thousand people participated in the business program, with representatives from 99 countries. As a result of the forum, 163 agreements were concluded. We see how the economic indicators of cooperation are growing. New horizons for interaction are opening up. I am confident that, with joint efforts, we will be able to maintain high rates of cooperation development in the future. Only by combining efforts can we effectively counter modern challenges and also ensure the prosperity of our states.””I want to sincerely thank all the organizers, participants, and guests of the forum for their fruitful work,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the forum organizing committee Marat Husnullin.
KazanForumÂ2026 becomes a key platform for the development and strengthening of economic, scientific-technical, and cultural relations of Russia with the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The forum this year set a record for its effectiveness: 163 agreements and memorandums were signed there, including 86 international agreements and 70 on behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan.
The forum that took place in Kazan confirmed that the dialogue between Russia and the Islamic world is not just cooperation, but a powerful impulse for development. We are convinced that deepening these ties has strategic significance and allows for the construction of reliable transport and financial corridors, where common goals are effectively converted into specific projects and investments. Interaction with the Islamic world is a fundamental resource for expanding Russia’s business horizons and a solid foundation for achieving common goals.”The dialogue between countries will continue within the framework of the summit and Business Forum Russia – ASEAN in Kazan in the second half of June,” noted the advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, responsible secretary of the organizing committee of the forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum,” Anton Kobyakov.
This year, the program included more than 152 events, including 133 business sessions with the participation of 925 speakers. The key topics were: Islamic finance and investments, halal industry, information technologies, transport and logistics, government and authorities, business associations, industrial dialogue, education, culture, sports, and tourism.
In addition, the forum featured: the 14th meeting of the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the second meeting of the Russian-Malaysian Intergovernmental Commission, meetings of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan, as well as 10 meetings of representatives of Russia and foreign states in various formats – from pitch sessions to business forums.In particular, conferences on international cooperation “Russia – Ghana”, “Russia – Malaysia”, “Russia – Oman”, “Russia – Ethiopia”, “Russia – Pakistan”, “Russia – countries of the Middle East and North Africa region”, “Russia – Indonesia”, “Russia – UAE”, “Russia – Afghanistan” and “Russia – Saudi Arabia” were held.
Within the framework of KazanForum, a meeting of the strategic vision group “Russia – Islamic World” also took place. “Today, relations between Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have become more constructive and have acquired a holistic and multifaceted character. This has strengthened our dialogue and mutual understanding, and expanded the scope of joint work,” emphasized the head of Tatarstan, chairman of the strategic vision group “Russia – Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov. The meeting was held at the Bashir Rameev IT Park and was dedicated to issues of youth policy and cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
A separate place in the forum program was occupied by events dedicated to the opening of the Year “Kazan – the cultural capital of the Islamic world” and the holding of the XVII International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2026”.
— The congress of culture ministers of the CIS countries, at the plenary session of which culture ministers and representatives of ministries of culture from 28 countries and delegates from 3 international organizations participated;
— The 15th session of the General Conference of the Islamic Organization on Education, Science and Culture with the participation of representatives from 30 countries, 9 ministers, and representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. 23 delegations joined the event online.
— tours of the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre;
— international gala concert “Night of Unity and Devotion: Voices of the Heart.”
In the cluster with the IEC “KazanExpo”, for the first time an international exhibition “Projects of Russia: Innovations. Investments. Infrastructure” was organized. On an area of about 1.5 thousand sq. m, 152 projects were presented across 7 topics: living environment, culture and creative industries, digital technologies and IT, logistics and transport, tourism, sports and entertainment, industry, agriculture and food.
For the ninth time, the International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and Islamic World countries was organized – on 4 thousand sq. m, 41 stands representing about 200 companies were presented, including stands of 10 countries, 7 regions of the Russian Federation, 24 exhibition spaces of forum partners, as well as 55 units of large-sized equipment from 18 companies were presented in the outdoor section of the forum exhibition.
For the third time, the International Property Market real estate exhibition was organized, consisting of 35 stands from 46 companies.
At the international halal industry fair “Kazan Halal Market,” which was held at the venue of the agro-industrial park “Kazan,” stands of 100 companies from 9 countries and 11 subjects of the Russian Federation were organized. The visitors of “Kazan Halal Market” numbered about 35 thousand residents and guests of Kazan.
“Tatarstan plays a special role in this process, acting not merely as the venue for the forum, but as its institutional and symbolic center. It is the republic that sets a sustainable model of interaction between Russia and the Islamic world, combining a developed industrial base, investment activity, a high level of organizational culture, and a historically established tradition of intercivilizational dialogue.”Thanks to Tatarstan, the forum acquires not only a business but also a civilizational scale: it is here that trust is formed between states, business, and the expert community, and the republic itself asserts itself as a key intermediary where international partnership gains practical embodiment and a long-term perspective,” said Talia Minullina, head of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan.
For the eighth time in Kazan, the Modest Fashion Day took place, where nine brands from seven countries presented their collections. The show featured fashion collections combining elements of national heritage with the principles of sustainable development in the fashion industry.
Representatives of seven countries took part in the International tournament of young chefs of Islamic countries named after Yunus Akhmetzyanov – the Grand Prix was won by the representative of Egypt, Edris Abdelrahman Moussen Abdo Khalil.
The program track “Women’s Perspective” became a platform for dialogue about the role of women in business, culture, and Islamic society. For the third time within the track, ceremonies were held to award the international prizes named after Zubeida bint Khalid – Halal Business Woman and Halal Charity Woman. In 2026, representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Oman, and Ghana participated in the competition. As a result of the competition, prizes were awarded to Zargan Kadyrova, founder of KFH “Zaina” (Russia) – in the category Halal Business Woman, and Janet Osei-Boadi, founder of the Janet O Boadi Foundation (Ghana) – in the category Halal Charity Woman.
For the first time within the framework of the forum at the Kazan Hippodrome, horse races “Business on Horseback” and the International Jockey Championship were held, in which representatives from 16 regions of Russia and 4 countries participated, and the event was attended by more than 6,500 participants.
KazanForum 2026 confirmed its status as a key international platform uniting states, business communities, scientific circles, and civil society for joint work on sustainable development. The cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, built on the principles of mutual respect, pragmatism, and trust, received a new practical embodiment at the forum.
The operator for the preparation and conduct of the event is the Roscongress Foundation, and the executive directorate of the operator is the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “Directorate of Sports and Social Projects”.
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