Taliya Minullina, Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, addressed the meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” and the ambassadors of OIC member states held in Moscow. In her remarks, she outlined the upcoming events of KazanForum 2025 and called on Islamic countries to make greater use of the unique opportunities the forum offers.
“We’re still smiling in Tatarstan after successfully hosting the BRICS+ Summit in Kazan – our beautiful, millennia-old capital! And once again, we’re preparing to welcome major international events,” Minullina said in her opening.
KazanForum will be held in Tatarstan for the 16th time. The experience accumulated over the years has directly contributed to the growth of trade between the Russian Federation and Islamic countries. In 2024, Tatarstan recorded a 48% increase in trade with Islamic nations, reaching $8 billion. KazanForum 2024 brought together participants from 87 countries and 87 regions of Russia, including 38 diplomatic missions.
“Today, KazanForum is a platform for more than 200 diverse events,” Minullina noted. The main plenary session is scheduled for May 16, following Friday prayers. This year’s central theme will focus on digitalization and the digital economy, which will also be reflected across other formats such as section meetings, conferences, and roundtables.
Among the returning highlights are the Young Diplomats Forum and sessions covering tourism, healthcare, sports, education, enlightenment, and trade. The Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry remains a key component for the Russian side, Minullina emphasized.
“For the second year in a row, we’ll be hosting an awards ceremony honoring women who have made outstanding contributions to business and philanthropy in Russia and Islamic countries. Registration is open, and we’d be grateful if you could help nominate deserving candidates,” she added.
At KazanForum 2025, intergovernmental commission groups will be active, including sessions on “Russia–UAE” and “Russia–Qatar” in tourism, “Russia–Turkey” in industry, and the “Russia–Tajikistan” business council. Several international dialogues are also planned, such as “Russia–Afghanistan,” “Russia–Malaysia,” “Russia–Kazakhstan,” “Russia–Iran,” “Russia–UAE,” and “Russia–Qatar.”
For the first time in Russia, KazanForum 2025 will host an international Islamic finance conference in partnership with AAOIFI, focusing on the adaptation of Islamic finance to Russian legislation. A new symposium on urbanism will also debut, organized in cooperation with the International Islamic University Malaysia.
A dedicated program is being prepared for the Congress of Ministers of Culture from Islamic countries, marking Kazan’s designation as the Islamic World’s Cultural Capital in 2026. As is tradition, a separate program will be held for transport ministers.
“Logistics is a critical issue. With the rise of e-commerce, we need international alternative transport corridors, and it’s essential that these sessions conclude with signed agreements,” Minullina stressed.
At the Russia Halal Expo, held within the framework of KazanForum, countries including Uzbekistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Senegal, and various Russian regions will showcase their halal products and services.
For the second year running, an international real estate exhibition will also be held — a platform for builders, developers, architects, urban planners, and designers, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries in the property sector.
“We invite you to explore the rich agenda of the real estate exhibition and honor us with your presence,” Minullina concluded.
From May 13 to 18, Kazan will host a halal trade pavilion, focusing on the rapidly growing wholesale trade of halal products. The event will bring together participants from 10 countries: Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan.
In addition, a modest Islamic fashion show will take place, with designers from Indonesia, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Oman, Tajikistan, and Russia presenting their collections.
KazanForum will also feature a chef competition and an international culinary showcase, with cuisines from 15 countries: Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Tunisia, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Bahrain, Russia, and possibly Indonesia and the UAE.
“Whenever I speak with Russian entrepreneurs, I ask: ‘Did you learn anything new about Oman or Kuwait?’ But I don’t always get a satisfactory answer,” noted Taliya Minullina, Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
In her view, Islamic countries should take a more proactive role at KazanForum—organizing their own sessions, presenting their cultures and business initiatives, and showcasing their trade and economic potential in the welcoming and vibrant city of Kazan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Rais RT