On April 21, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a traditional meeting with ambassadors of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The event was dedicated to the results of the work of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” (Group) and the upcoming XVI International Economic Forum “KazanForum” which will be held from May 13 to 18. The meeting was attended by representatives of federal and regional authorities, Russian religious associations, as well as scientific and business circles.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, who heads the KazanForum organizing committee, noted the steady growth of cooperation between Russia and the OIC countries. Over the past four years, trade turnover has increased by 44%, reaching $163 billion. Particular attention was paid to the development of the North-South and East-West transport corridors, which, according to Khusnullin, are capable of redistributing global logistics flows.
“Muslim countries demonstrate solidarity with Russia in the international arena. We appreciate their openness to constructive interaction and objective assessment of our position,” noted Mr. Khusnullin.
In his opinion, this positive trend is largely the result of the activities of the Group. Which for more than a decade and a half has been purposefully working to strengthen mutual understanding between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world.
The Deputy Chairman also emphasized that the noteworthy KazanForum 2025 is taking place during the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, immediately after the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia and the Islamic world are united by their commitment to a multipolar system of international relations based on respect for sovereignty and traditional values. He recalled that 2025 will mark 20 years since Russia received observer status in the OIC, and during this time, interaction has reached a qualitatively new level.
“The Group serves as a tool for strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and trust between Russia and the Islamic world. In essence, it is a unique platform for inter-civilizational dialogue,” Mr. Lavrov noted. The Minister also recalled that the development of relations with the OIC enjoys broad support in the Russian Federation: governments, parliamentarians, business circles, religious associations, youth organizations, scientists, and cultural figures are involved in this process.
Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Group, spoke in detail about the Group's plans and the upcoming economic forum. This year, it will be held for the third time at the federal level and will bring together representatives from more than 80 countries. The key topic of the plenary session of the Group this year will be “Digitalization: New Reality and Opportunities for Expanding Cooperation”.
“Tatarstan, one of the leading Russian regions, is an example of how Russia is expanding its interaction with the Islamic world. Along with establishing trade, economic, and investment contacts, we are successfully developing cultural and humanitarian ties,” the head of the republic emphasized.
Tatarstan is one of the pilot regions for the implementation of the principles of Islamic banking and financing in Russia. Active work is underway to develop the halal industry. Much attention is paid to Islamic education. In addition, in 2022, the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan, received the status of the youth capital of the OIC. In February 2025, the ministers of culture of the OIC countries unanimously decided to declare Kazan the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2026.
Mr. Minnikhanov also noted that the Group will pay special attention to youth policy: a meeting dedicated to the exchange of experience between Russia and OIC countries in this area is planned within the framework of “KazanForum 2025”. The first international conference on Islamic finance in Russia, organized jointly with Bahrain, will also take place.
Deputy Chairman of the Group Marat Gatin, who acted as the moderator of the meeting, introduced the next speaker: “On a daily basis, painstaking, sometimes routine, but ultimately leading to the desired results, work is being carried out to prepare this most important event – «KazanForum»”.
Taliya Minullina, head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, announced a rich business program for KazanForum 2025, including exhibitions, round tables, and business dialogues. Among them is the Russia Halal Expo, which will present products and services that meet Islamic standards, as well as a real estate exhibition aimed at attracting investment in the construction sector.
According to Ms. Minullina, Islamic countries should take a more active position at the KazanForum, using this unique opportunity to hold their own sessions, presenting culture and business. They should also talk about trade and economic opportunities in such a hospitable and beautiful city as Kazan.
Advisor to the Group, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Farit Mukhametshin spoke about the meetings held in Kazan and Kuala Lumpur in 2024, where issues of forming a multipolar world were discussed. In Malaysia, the event was held with the support of Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, who highly praised Russia's role in strengthening ties with Islamic countries.
“The Group's activities last year were structured taking into account the updated concept of the Russian Federation's foreign policy, which for the first time included a section on the "Islamic World". It emphasizes that states of friendly Islamic civilization are becoming increasingly popular and reliable partners for Russia in matters of ensuring security, as well as solving economic problems, at the global and regional levels,” noted Mr. Mukhametshin.
At the end of the meeting, the participants expressed confidence that KazanForum 2025 will be an important step in the development of economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world. After the official part, the guests were invited to a buffet for informal communication.
The meeting confirmed that Russia’s partnership with OIC countries continues to strengthen, covering new areas – from digital technologies to youth diplomacy.