The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2026” finalized in the capital city of Tatarstan. Representatives from 99 countries and 75 Russian Federation regions participated in the event. The Forum welcomed over 250 honorary guests, and 529 media representatives from 20 countries covered the event.
“This year, approximately 10,000 people participated in the business program of the Forum, with representatives from 99 countries attending. As a result of the Forum, 163 agreements were signed. We see economic cooperation indicators growing, and new horizons for collaboration opening up. I am confident that we will be able to maintain the high pace of cooperation in the future through joint efforts. Only by joining our forces, we can effectively address modern challenges and ensure the prosperity of our countries. I would like to sincerely thank all the organizers, participants, and guests of the Forum for their fruitful work,” said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.
KazanForum 2026 serves as a key platform for developing and strengthening economic, scientific, technical, and cultural relations between Russia and the countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. This year’s Forum was record-breaking in its effectiveness, with 163 agreements and memoranda signed, including 86 international agreements and 70 from the Republic of Tatarstan.
“The KazanForum confirmed that Russia’s dialogue with the Islamic world is not just cooperation, but a powerful incentive for development. We are convinced that deepening these ties is of strategic importance and allows us to build reliable transport and financial routes where shared goals can effectively be converted into specific projects and investments. Interaction with the Islamic world is a fundamental resource for expanding Russia’s business horizons and a solid foundation for achieving shared goals. The dialogue between the countries will continue at the 2026 Russia-ASEAN Summit and Business Forum in Kazan in the second half of June,” noted Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum.”
This year program consisted of more than 152 events, including 133 business sessions with 925 speakers. Key topics included Islamic finance and investment, the halal industry, information technology, transport and logistics, government and governance, business associations, industrial dialogue, education, culture, sports, and tourism.
In addition, the following events took place on the sidelines of the Forum: the 14th session of the Russian-Indonesian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic, and Technical Cooperation, the Second Meeting of the Russian-Mali Intergovernmental Commission, Meetings of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan, as well as 10 meetings of representatives of Russia and foreign countries in various formats, from pitch sessions to business forums. In particular, conferences on international cooperation were held between Russia and Ghana, Russia and Malaysia, Russia and Oman, Russia and Ethiopia, Russia and Pakistan, Russia and Countries of the Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Indonesia, Russia and UAE, Russia and Afghanistan, and Russia and Saudi Arabia.
The Kazan Forum also included a meeting of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World”. “Today, relations between Russia and the countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have become more constructive and have acquired a holistic and multifaceted nature. This has strengthened our dialogue and mutual understanding and expanded the scope of our joint work,” the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized. The meeting, held at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev, focused on youth policy and humanitarian cooperation.
A special place in the Forum’s program was given to the events dedicated to the opening of the Year “Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World” and the XVII International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2026”:
– the Congress of Ministers of Culture of the Islamic world, the plenary session of which was attended by the Ministers of Culture and representatives of Ministries of Culture from 28 countries and 3 international organizations;
– the 15th session of the General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) with the participation of representatives of 30 states, 9 Ministers and representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. 23 delegations joined the event online;
– performance of the Mariinsky Theatre;
– international gala concert “Night of Unity and Devotion: Voices of the Heart”.
The C Cluster of the KazanExpo International Exhibition Centre hosted the first international exhibition called “Russian Projects: Innovations. Investments. Infrastructure.” Covering approximately 1,500 square meters, the exhibition showcased 152 projects across 7 themes: living environment, culture and creative industries, digital technologies and IT, logistics and transport, tourism, sports and entertainment, industry, agriculture, and food.
The International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World was held for the 9th time. The 4,000 square meters space featured 41 stands from approximately 200 companies, including stands from 10 countries and 7 regions of the Russian Federation, 24 exhibits from Forum partners, as well as 55 large-scale equipment units from 18 companies were also on display in the outdoor section of the Forum’s exhibition.
The International Property Market real estate exhibition venue was organized for the 3rd time, consisting of 35 stands from 46 companies.
The Kazan Halal Market, an international halal industry fair held at the Kazan Agro-Industrial Park, featured stands from 100 companies representing 9 countries and 11 regions of Russia. Approximately 35,000 Kazan residents and visitors attended the Kazan Halal Market.
“Tatarstan plays a special role in these processes, serving not only as the Forum’s venue but as its institutional and symbolic center. It is the Republic that sets a sustainable model for Russia’s interaction with the Islamic world, combining a developed industrial base, investment activity, a high level of organizational culture, and a historically established tradition of intercivilizational dialogue. Thanks to Tatarstan, the Forum is acquiring not only a business-like but also a civilizational scale: trust is fostered here between states, businesses, and the expert community, and the Republic itself is established as a key intermediary where international partnerships are put into practice and have a long-term perspective,” said Taliya Minullina, Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
Kazan hosted Modest Fashion Day for the 8th time, with 9 brands from 7 countries presenting their collections. The show featured collections that combined elements of national heritage with sustainable development principles in the fashion industry.
Representatives from 7 countries took part in the Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Young Chefs’ of Islamic Countries Tournament. The Grand Prix was won by Egyptian representative Edris Abdelrahman Mohsen Abdo Khalil.
The “Female Perspective” track program became a platform for dialogue on the role of women in business, culture, and Islamic society. For the 3rd time, the track hosted the Zubaida bint Khalid International Awards Ceremony – “Halal Business Woman” and “Halal Charity Woman.” In 2026, representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Oman, and Ghana participated in the competition. Following the competition, awards were presented to Zargan Kadyrova, founder of the Zhayna Farm (Russia), in the “Halal Business Woman” category, and Janet Osei-Boadi, founder of the Janet O Boadi Foundation (Ghana), in the “Halal Charity Woman” category.
For the first time, the Kazan International Equestrian Sports Complex hosted the horse races “Business on Horse” and the International Jockey Championship as part of the Forum. Representatives from 16 regions of the Russian Federation and 4 countries participated in the event, which was attended by over 6,500 participants.
KazanForum 2026 confirmed its status as a key international platform uniting governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to work together on sustainable development. Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, built on the principles of mutual respect, pragmatism, and trust, was given new practical expression at the Forum.
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The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event and the executive directorate of the operator is the ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects”.