KazanForum Preparations Update
KazanForum Preparations Update
21 April
A press conference on the upcoming 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” was held recently, where the Organisers outlined the plans regarding the business and cultural programmes developed for the Forum participants.
The business programme is scheduled to last 3 days and includes 143 sessions across 20 topics, spanning international co-operation; Islamic finance and investment; the halal industry; as well as transport and culture sectors.
As usual, the highlight of the Forum will be the central plenary session taking place on 15 May. This year, the motto of the session is “From Points on the Map to Points of Growth: Uniting Technological and Financial Initiatives”.
Among other bilateral events, the following are scheduled to be held: the meeting of 3 intergovernmental committees—Russian Indonesian, Russian Malian, and Russian Nigerian—on trade, economic, scientific, and technical co operation; 3 meetings of the co chairs of the Turkmen, Kyrgyz, and Palestinian committees; and one meeting of the Russian Malaysian Working Group on Tourism. In addition, 10 bilateral conferences will take place as well.
The Congress of the OIC Ministers of Culture, held under the topic “Kazan – 2026 Cultural Capital of the Islamic World”, will serve as the main iconic event of the Forum. Guests from over 20 countries are expected to attend.
In addition, the KazanForum venue will host a Congress of the National Banks of OIC Member States and an International Exhibition of Investment and Infrastructure Projects for the first time ever, with over 200 projects spanning industry, agriculture, logistics, culture, IT, creative technologies, and other sectors being showcased across an area of more than 5,000 square metres.
The Forum expects delegations from Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan as its largest guests and participants.
During the press conference, the Organisers also highlighted the Forum’s viability to act as a tool for strengthening multilateral economic and humanitarian co operation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world.
Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, remarked: “For the fourth year running, the Roscongress Foundation serves as the Organiser of the Forum, while also sharing best practices in arranging international events with our colleagues throughout the Republic. Today, we—together with the Organising Committee—are doing everything possible to extend a warm welcome to the participants of all categories. Given the emergence of a new multipolar world order and the restructuring of global economic chains, co operation with Islamic countries holds a particular strategic importance to Russia. As it was before, the Forum will showcase projects that deepen such economic independence of our countries.”
“The bilateral conferences that are generally hosted as part of KazanForum enjoy great popularity among the business community. Entrepreneurs want to enter specific markets and meet potential partners there, as well as gain knowledge of what certifications are required to begin such co operation. This year, we are holding the “Russia – Sierra Leone” and “Russia – Ghana” conferences for the first time ever, which goes to show the growing engagement of Islamic African countries. Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, makes regular visits and holds talks with OIC countries, thus building a solid foundation for promoting business relations,” Taliya Minullina, a member of the KazanForum Federal Organising Committee and Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, shared.
Khalimat Budunova, Acting Director of the Department for Development of Bilateral Co Operation at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, noted the increase in Russia’s trade turnover with the countries of the Islamic world. This number reached $174 billion in 2025, representing a 6% growth compared to 2024.
Registration for the Event is available through the link: https://reg.kazanforum.ru/ru/registration. Registration is open until 30 April 2026.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
See you at KazanForum 2026!
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
The business programme is scheduled to last 3 days and includes 143 sessions across 20 topics, spanning international co-operation; Islamic finance and investment; the halal industry; as well as transport and culture sectors.
As usual, the highlight of the Forum will be the central plenary session taking place on 15 May. This year, the motto of the session is “From Points on the Map to Points of Growth: Uniting Technological and Financial Initiatives”.
Among other bilateral events, the following are scheduled to be held: the meeting of 3 intergovernmental committees—Russian Indonesian, Russian Malian, and Russian Nigerian—on trade, economic, scientific, and technical co operation; 3 meetings of the co chairs of the Turkmen, Kyrgyz, and Palestinian committees; and one meeting of the Russian Malaysian Working Group on Tourism. In addition, 10 bilateral conferences will take place as well.
The Congress of the OIC Ministers of Culture, held under the topic “Kazan – 2026 Cultural Capital of the Islamic World”, will serve as the main iconic event of the Forum. Guests from over 20 countries are expected to attend.
In addition, the KazanForum venue will host a Congress of the National Banks of OIC Member States and an International Exhibition of Investment and Infrastructure Projects for the first time ever, with over 200 projects spanning industry, agriculture, logistics, culture, IT, creative technologies, and other sectors being showcased across an area of more than 5,000 square metres.
The Forum expects delegations from Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan as its largest guests and participants.
During the press conference, the Organisers also highlighted the Forum’s viability to act as a tool for strengthening multilateral economic and humanitarian co operation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world.
Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, remarked: “For the fourth year running, the Roscongress Foundation serves as the Organiser of the Forum, while also sharing best practices in arranging international events with our colleagues throughout the Republic. Today, we—together with the Organising Committee—are doing everything possible to extend a warm welcome to the participants of all categories. Given the emergence of a new multipolar world order and the restructuring of global economic chains, co operation with Islamic countries holds a particular strategic importance to Russia. As it was before, the Forum will showcase projects that deepen such economic independence of our countries.”
“The bilateral conferences that are generally hosted as part of KazanForum enjoy great popularity among the business community. Entrepreneurs want to enter specific markets and meet potential partners there, as well as gain knowledge of what certifications are required to begin such co operation. This year, we are holding the “Russia – Sierra Leone” and “Russia – Ghana” conferences for the first time ever, which goes to show the growing engagement of Islamic African countries. Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, makes regular visits and holds talks with OIC countries, thus building a solid foundation for promoting business relations,” Taliya Minullina, a member of the KazanForum Federal Organising Committee and Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, shared.
Khalimat Budunova, Acting Director of the Department for Development of Bilateral Co Operation at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, noted the increase in Russia’s trade turnover with the countries of the Islamic world. This number reached $174 billion in 2025, representing a 6% growth compared to 2024.
Registration for the Event is available through the link: https://reg.kazanforum.ru/ru/registration. Registration is open until 30 April 2026.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
See you at KazanForum 2026!
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
