Oriented on making people closer

The KazanForum 2025, which concluded in the capital of Tatarstan, has reaffirmed its significance as an effective platform for interaction between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, attracting growing international interest. This year, representatives from 96 countries and 82 Russian regions participated in the Forum's events, with 8,500 guests attending the business program. A distinctive feature of KazanForum is its broad thematic scope, ranging from economic and diplomatic issues to cultural and sporting events. The Forum's program this year included over 200 events, including 148 business sessions featuring 990 speakers. The Forum achieved record-breaking results, with 130 agreements and memorandums signed on its platform, including 75 international ones and 56 involving the Republic of Tatarstan.

Key topics in 2025 included the digitalization of cooperation between Russia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, international cooperation, a real estate exhibition and conference, sports, the halal industry, Islamic finance and investment, tourism, culture, the women's perspective, business, economics, current and future human resources, science and technology, and media activities. Within the framework of KazanForum, a meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" was held, dedicated to youth policy issues and cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. The meeting was chaired by the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" Rustam Minnikhanov.

In addition to the Forum's sessions and the meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – Islamic World" plenary sessions of the AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions), the International Symposium on Islamic Built Environment (IBEIS 2025), the International Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the XI Kazan Forum of Young Entrepreneurs of OIC Countries, a meeting of the International Transport Corridor "North-South," as well as the Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the OIC Member States, in whose plenary session ministers of culture and representatives of ministries of culture from 12 countries participated, were held.

For the eighth time, the International Exhibition Russia Halal Expo was organized within the Forum, featuring 54 stands from 12 countries, including Turkmenistan. The International Property Market exhibition, the second real estate exhibition organized within KazanForum, garnered significant interest from specialists and visitors. This unique platform is designed to strengthen international ties and interaction with investors from various countries. Fifty-seven companies participated in the exhibition, including 29 developers. The IX Forum of Young Diplomats of OIC Countries, a key platform for dialogue between the young diplomatic community of Russia and the Islamic world, took place within KazanForum 2025. The main theme of the event was "Diplomacy of Victory" dedicated to the role of diplomacy in achieving victory in World War II, the establishment of the United Nations as a key instrument for maintaining international peace and security, and the formation of a multipolar world order. The "Women's Perspective" track fostered an engaging dialogue on the role of women in business, culture, and Islamic society. The results of the competition were announced, and international awards were presented to female entrepreneurs and philanthropists: the Halal Business Woman and Halal Charity Woman awards.

These and other events of the Forum clearly demonstrated that various countries can actively interact in a wide range of areas, setting an example of constructive dialogue and cooperation. KazanForum 2025 once again proved that cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world is based on the principles of respect, pragmatism, and trust, becoming a crucial international platform uniting the efforts of states, businesses, science, and society on the path to a sustainable future.

The ideas and constructive proposals put forward by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in his address at the opening of the Plenary Session of KazanForum 2025, align with the constructive goal of developing interstate relations for the sake of common prosperity and progress. As the Hero-Arkadag emphasized, Turkmenistan proceeds from the potential for Islamic states to effectively utilize diplomacy as an instrument for achieving compatibility of interests, mutual understanding, and awareness of the benefits and prospects of economic partnership. The participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people as an honored guest at KazanForum 2025 became further confirmation of the high level and friendly nature of Turkmen-Tatarstan relations, which are successfully developing in various fields. During the meeting between the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov in the Kazan Kremlin, and in their conversation with the participation of the State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, it was emphasized that the existing potential creates favorable opportunities for the further development of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.

ORIENT

Photo: kazanforum