Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, addressed the plenary session of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World," convened as part of the XV International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum-2024." He recalled that a decade ago, in 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin reinstated the activities of the Group, appointing Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of Tatarstan, as its honorary chairman.
"Just two days ago, the XV International Economic Forum 'Russia - Islamic World' commenced, receiving a warm reception from Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council. Here in the beautiful capital of Tatarstan, we are engaged in simultaneous discussions on both geopolitical and economic aspects of our cooperation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to this crucial theme. Alongside the esteemed Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev, the first President of Tatarstan, the prominent Russian statesman Yevgeny Primakov served as the honorary co-chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision 'Russia - Islamic World' for many years. Primakov, renowned as an arabist and orientalist, was not only a mentor to me but also a profound authority. It was he who pioneered the development of this framework in the early 2000s. During the inaugural meeting in 2006, he articulated, 'Perhaps no other nation, with a Christian majority coexisting alongside a Muslim minority, can serve as a model of peaceful coexistence, cultural intermingling, and community creation, as Russia can.' Today, this notion of community and harmonious living is embodied in the model of a state-civilization, as enshrined in the Concept of Russia's Foreign Policy ratified by the President of the Russian Federation," Kosachev underscored.
Interethnic harmony is fundamental for Russia, home to nearly 200 ethnic groups and nationalities, including over 20 million Muslims. This imperative extends seamlessly into its foreign policy. As the largest Eurasian power, Russia cannot afford to fixate on any single region or its values. Nonetheless, the value dimension assumes paramount significance not only in preserving our national unity but also in engaging with the global community. In his Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on February 29, 2024, the President of Russia emphasized, "Russia has been and remains a bastion of traditional values upon which human civilization is founded. Our choices resonate with the majority worldwide." Common values serve as the bedrock upon which a truly equitable and democratic global order can be erected. When, a year ago, a reprehensible act of desecration was perpetrated against the holy Quran, with the tacit approval of Swedish authorities, the Council on Interethnic Relations and Cooperation with Religious Associations under the Federation Council issued a resolute statement, asserting, "The barbarism exhibited by so-called civilized nations has no place in a multipolar world order that aligns with the interests and sacred values of the global majority, against which the collective West now stands."
"Similarly, we have perennially felt the solidarity of the global Muslim community in the aftermath of terrorist attacks or other provocations purportedly carried out in their name within Russia. More often than not, these incidents are instigated by entities entirely divorced from Islam. I am confident that we are united by a shared vision of the fundamental tenets of a multipolar world order that serves the interests of all nations, cultures, and religions worldwide, unequivocally. Only such an order can rightfully claim to be democratic, rather than the dictate of nations branding themselves as democratic while blatantly violating the rights of believers and trampling traditional values," the speaker reiterated.
"The conflict between the unipolar and emerging multipolar models of the world can be viewed as the central issue of our era. It's evident that the persistent reluctance of the Western collective, led by the United States, to relinquish its aspirations for global supremacy and its inherent exclusivity, alongside the actual exploitation of the planet's resources, poses a significant obstacle to global progress. The so-called sanctions imposed on nations with billions of inhabitants represent a clear illustration of the divergence between the interests of the so-called 'privileged billion' and the global majority. The incessant and irrational imposition of sanction 'packages' by the West and its allies against Russia has exposed another crucial aspect of the unipolar world order: global institutions and mechanisms—world banks and currencies, international organizations, and monopolies in transportation, insurance, or technology—are all weaponized, transformed into tools of political coercion against those who resist the global hegemony of a single power center. Hence, unipolarity is sustained by specific institutions that uphold and reinforce this undemocratic and inequitable system. Therefore, our collective objective is to institutionalize multipolarity, establishing a framework based on alternative principles and norms that are universally accepted, rather than on an inherently neo-colonial 'rule-based order' dictated, interpreted, and enforced by a minority group of states. Presently, numerous states are progressively reducing their reliance on Western currencies, developing mechanisms for conducting foreign trade beyond Western oversight, establishing new transportation routes, and forging alternative supply chains. It's only logical that the majority of nations, representing 85% of the global population, not only abstained from joining the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the 'Western coalition' but also drew inevitable conclusions from them," articulated Kosachev.
"The establishment of new international frameworks, such as BRICS, which, since January of this year, has welcomed significant additions, notably four Islamic nations—Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—is a noteworthy development. Russia remains committed to engaging in dialogue with its partners from the Muslim world to shape an inclusive system of global governance," he emphasized. "The overwhelming majority of Muslim nations in Asia and Africa have long been our allies. They are increasingly asserting themselves on the global stage, transcending mere regional politics and exhibiting a keen interest in addressing global challenges. In return, we endorse the prominent roles played by regional bodies such as the League of Arab States, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which advocates for the entire Islamic world transcending regional boundaries. Emerging players from the Global South and East are assuming greater prominence in international politics and economics, bolstering their sovereignty and implementing pragmatic, nationally oriented foreign policies. Russia remains committed to supporting its allies as they strive to assume a more significant role in tackling the defining issues of our time, ultimately aiming to establish a fair and democratic global order grounded in shared values, common norms, and guarantees of security and development for all. I am confident that the Russia-Islamic World Forum will make a substantial contribution to strengthening our partnership. We deeply appreciate the contributions of the forum's participants and guests. I extend my best wishes to all for productive deliberations and success," concluded Konstantin Kosachev.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council