Interview with Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" Rustam Minnikhanov in connection with the 20th anniversary of the Russian Federation's accession to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as an observer
June 30, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Russian Federation joining the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as an observer. What has changed in relations between Russia and the Islamic world over these two decades? What has this status given to our country?
In 2003, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin announced our country's intention to join this international organization at the summit of heads of state and government of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Malaysia. In June 2005, Russia received official observer status in the OIC, which includes 57 Muslim states.
Considering the changes taking place in the world and the fact that over 20 million Muslims live in our multinational country, and Islam is an important part of the multi-confessional Russian society, this step is quite logical and relevant.
Since then, relations between Russia and the member countries of the organization have become more constructive, and have acquired a holistic and multifaceted character. Our country has received the opportunity to participate in the discussion of issues related to the Muslim world, which has contributed to the strengthening of dialogue and mutual understanding. The areas of joint work in the field of security, the fight against terrorism, economics, humanitarian initiatives, cultural exchanges, interreligious dialogue, etc. have expanded. This has increased the authority of Russia among Muslim states, strengthened its position as a mediator and partner, made it possible to use the OIC platform to promote the interests of our country, and opened up new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Today, joint economic projects are being implemented with partners from Muslim countries, transport infrastructure is being developed, and interaction is taking place in the fields of energy, industry, finance and banking, investment, etc. In the last four years alone, trade turnover between Russia and the OIC states has increased by 44%, and the number of tourists has grown by 2.5 times.
In 2009, the Russian Federation opened a permanent mission to the OIC in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Its first head was a native of Tatarstan.
Within the framework of the OIC, our country participates in many joint events, forums and conferences, which contributes to the development and strengthening of interstate relations, and relations with the Islamic world are among the priorities of our national foreign policy.
What role did Tatarstan play in Russia's accession to the OIC? How did the Republic of Tatarstan use its experience of interreligious harmony to strengthen Russia's ties with the Islamic world?
The Republic of Tatarstan is actively developing international and foreign economic cooperation within the framework of the unified foreign policy of the Russian Federation. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, our republic, being one of the industrially developed Russian regions, began to look for new markets abroad, began to work on attracting advanced foreign technologies and investments, developing trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural ties. Considering that historically a large number of Muslims lived on the territory of the republic, and Volga Bulgaria adopted Islam in 922 as the official state religion, it is quite natural that companies and organizations from Muslim countries have become some of our important partners.
When visiting foreign countries and organizing visits to Tatarstan, it became clear that the republic's rich experience in the field of interethnic and interreligious harmony, which was called the "Tatarstan model", could be of interest in the world, including the Islamic world. The joint peaceful coexistence and cooperation for many centuries of Muslims and Orthodox Christians, as well as representatives of other religions on our land, became a good opportunity for dialogue and exchange of experience. Tatarstan actively advocated for the expansion of Russia's international relations with the Muslim world, emphasizing the importance of interreligious peace and stability.
In this regard, our republic has always been at the forefront of efforts to develop and strengthen relations between Russia and the Islamic world. And Russia's accession to the OIC as an observer was a stage in the great joint work of federal and regional authorities.
We are pleased that since 2005 the Russian Federation and its regions have been actively participating in the work of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Last year, on behalf of the country's leadership, I had the honor of heading the Russian delegation at the OIC summit in Gambia.
A good practical embodiment of the implementation of the great potential of cooperation with the countries of the Islamic world is the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World”, created in 2006 with the active participation of Tatarstan. First co-chairs of the Group were Evgeny Primakov and Mintimer Shaimiev. Since 2014 I head it on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
The composition of the Group is formed by coordinating its members through diplomatic channels of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Foreign Ministries of the countries participating in the project. The Group is a "platform" for consultations at the level of public and political figures, business circles, representatives of the scientific community and the clergy, who have authority and influence in their countries.
The Group's work at the present stage is intended to facilitate interaction between the Russian Federation and the elites of Muslim countries and to create a "soft power" instrument. Its main task is to provide every possible assistance to the process of further rapprochement between Russia and the Islamic world on a cultural and civilizational basis, to coordinate positions on key international issues, and to assist in establishing contacts, primarily on the public front, with an emphasis on expanding economic cooperation and interaction between youth organizations. The Group also works to promote the traditional values of the Muslim peoples of Russia in order to counter radical Islamist ideas in society.
In December last year, the meeting of the Group was held in Malaysia, and in May of this year – in Kazan. The guest of honor at both events was the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar bin Ibrahim.
What initiatives of Tatarstan within the OIC have been the most successful over the years? How are economic and humanitarian ties developing between Tatarstan and the countries of the Islamic world thanks to Russia's participation in the OIC?
Tatarstan is proud of its contribution to the development of Russia's relations with the OIC. We are pleased with the dynamics and level of our relations that have been developed over the past years.
We have very good relations with the current Secretary General of the OIC, Hissein Brahim Taha, and have established a permanent dialogue with individual structures of this organization, in particular, with the Islamic Development Bank, the Youth Forum, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Permanent Committee for Scientific and Technical Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Islamic World Academy of Sciences, etc. The capital of our republic, Kazan, was the youth capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 2022. Every year we hold the Kazan Global Youth Summit.
Over the years of Tatarstan’s participation in the activities of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), many initiatives have been implemented.
Using the example of Tatarstan and with the support of the OIC, we are striving to fine-tune practical mechanisms for interaction with Islamic business. Our republic is a pilot region for the implementation of the principles of Islamic (partnership) banking and financing in Russia.
Russia and its regions have great prospects in the development of the halal ecosystem.
A number of interesting projects with the Islamic world are being implemented in the humanitarian sphere. The Kazan International Film Festival "Altyn Minbar" is held annually in the republic.
We pay great attention to Islamic education. The only Bulgarian Islamic Academy in Russia operates in Tatarstan.
In 2023, Kazan hosted the first hockey tournament among Islamic countries "Kazan Hockey Cup”. Based on its results, the Organization for the Development of Hockey in Islamic Countries was created.
But perhaps the most striking and successful result is the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum". The forum is the main platform for economic cooperation between our country and the states of the Islamic world. Over the 16 years of its existence, KazanForum has established itself as a leading platform for discussing current issues, implementing joint projects, presenting investment potential and strengthening business ties between Russian companies and partners from Islamic countries.
This year, the number of Forum participants was over 22 thousand people from 96 countries and 82 Russian regions. The Forum included about 200 events, which resulted in the conclusion of 130 agreements. The business program consisted of more than 140 sessions, in which 990 speakers participated. The events were covered by over 500 media outlets from 20 countries.
Among the countries represented are neighboring countries, Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries. The largest delegations came from countries such as Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kuwait, Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Qatar and Türkiye.
The key topics of the 2025 forum were digitalization, economics, international cooperation, global challenges, logistics, real estate, education, the halal industry, Islamic finance and investment, culture, science and technology, etc.
The following events took place on the sidelines of the forum: the Congress of Ministers of Culture of the OIC countries, the International Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Islamic Countries, the Congress of Prosecutors General of the Russian Federation and the OIC countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats of the OIC countries, the International Conference on Accounting and Auditing for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the International Symposium "Islamic Urban Environment" (IBEIS 2025), the All-Russian Forum of Tatar Religious Figures, "Izge Bolgar Zhieny".
The International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries, the final of the tournament of the Organization for the Development of Hockey of Islamic Countries and the Modest Fashion Day festival of decent fashion can be called a kind of “highlight” of the program.
The Forum included such major exhibitions as Russia Halal Expo, Russia Halal Market, a real estate exhibition, and an exhibition of export-oriented equipment.
The Forum's guests of honor included representative foreign delegations - from Malaysia headed by Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, from Turkmenistan headed by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, from Azerbaijan headed by the First Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, from Uzbekistan headed by the Deputy Prime Minister Zhamshid Khodjayev, from Afghanistan headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Government Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, delegations from Qatar, Jordan, Türkiye, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, Senegal, Tajikistan headed by the ministers of these countries, from the OIC headed by the Deputy Secretary General Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) headed by Sheikh Ibrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
From 11 to 12 May 2025, as part of his visit to the Russian Federation, the OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha also visited the Republic of Tatarstan as part of his visit to the Russian Federation.
The Forum was attended by high-ranking representatives of such international institutions as the OIC, the Arab League, the Muslim World League, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the OIC Permanent Committee on Scientific and Technical Cooperation (COMSTECH), the World Council of Muslim Communities, the OIC Union of News Agencies, as well as diplomatic representatives of more than 40 foreign countries in our country, heads of Russian and foreign companies, chambers of commerce and industry, religious denominations, public organizations and the media.
Among other significant events in the context of strengthening relations between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, one can name the BRICS summit held last year in the capital of Tatarstan. It brought together the leaders of 36 states, 24 of which were represented at the highest level. It is important that delegations from 16 Muslim states – members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – participated in the summit.
During the summit, the leaders of the states became acquainted with the potential and investment opportunities of Tatarstan. Today we are working with investors from these countries.
The organization and results of all these events clearly demonstrated the interest of many countries in strengthening and developing partnership relations with the Russian Federation in every possible way.
What economic benefits did Tatarstan receive thanks to Russia's membership in the OIC? How did the volume of trade between Tatarstan and the OIC countries change? What joint investment projects of Tatarstan with the OIC countries became key during this period?
Thanks to Russia’s membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Tatarstan’s active participation in working with the OIC, we have received a number of economic advantages and opportunities for developing international cooperation.
In recent years, the volume of trade turnover between Tatarstan and OIC member countries has increased significantly. Last year alone, it grew by 38% and amounted to about $8 billion.
Tatarstan has become more attractive to investors from OIC countries thanks to the strengthening of interstate ties, participation in joint economic forums and business missions.
Regular business forums, exhibitions and conferences held under the auspices of the OIC have allowed Tatar companies to enter new markets and establish partnerships with companies from Muslim countries.
Russia's membership in the OIC has opened up new opportunities for Tatarstan to expand foreign economic relations, increase trade turnover with Muslim countries and implement joint investment projects.
Examples of investment cooperation include the production of AURUS vehicles with the participation of the Arab fund Tawazun, cooperation with the Emirati investment company Emaar Properties, and interaction with the Malaysian company Maharani in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors.
Turkish companies have invested about 2 billion dollars in our republic. More than a dozen Turkish factories operate in Tatarstan. Tatarstan companies are working on implementing large projects in Türkiye in the energy and petrochemical sectors.
A good example is the activity of Tatarstan investors in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, implementing industrial investment projects at various sites.
How have cultural and humanitarian ties developed between Tatarstan and the countries of the Islamic world thanks to Russia’s participation in the OIC?
Thanks to Russia's participation in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Tatarstan's active role within this organization, cultural and humanitarian ties between Tatarstan and the countries of the Islamic world have significantly strengthened and continue to develop.
Tatarstan has become a platform for holding international forums, conferences, festivals and cultural events aimed at popularizing Islamic culture, traditions and art.
Regular cultural exchanges, exhibitions, concerts and festivals contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and friendly relations with representatives of Muslim countries.
Russia's participation in the OIC gave Tatarstan the opportunity to become an active participant in global cultural and humanitarian processes in the Muslim world. This led to the expansion of intercultural dialogue, strengthening of humanitarian ties, development of joint projects in education, religion and culture, which contributed to the increase of the region's authority as a center of interreligious harmony and cultural exchange in the international arena.
What new areas of cooperation between Tatarstan and OIC countries are planned to be developed in the coming years?
We attach great importance to interaction with the Islamic world, with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Our capital, Kazan, has received the status of the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2026.
Tatarstan also plans to develop new and strengthen existing areas of cooperation with the Organization's countries, focusing on modern challenges and opportunities for international development. Our priorities include:
– Creation and implementation of Islamic financial instruments, development of Islamic banking and insurance.
– Support for startups and innovative companies in the field of Islamic financial technologies, creation of business incubators and investment platforms. Expansion of academic exchange programs, joint scientific research and educational projects in the field of Islamic culture, youth policy, economics, medicine and technology.
– Conducting international cultural festivals, exhibitions and forums with the participation of OIC countries to popularize Tatar culture and Muslim heritage.
– Exchange of experience in the field of social policy, healthcare and prevention of extremism, etc.
The Republic of Tatarstan is committed to continuing active work to expand cooperation with OIC countries in various areas, and will contribute to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the Russian Federation and the Islamic world.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Rais RT
Based on materials from the Press Service of the Rais RT