Tatarstan and Islamic World Countries Strengthen Co-operation in Bioeconomy
Tatarstan and Islamic World Countries Strengthen Co-operation in Bioeconomy
13 May
In Tatarstan, co-operation with other states and regions in the field of bioeconomy continues to develop. Ilshat Nuriev, Rector of the Kazan State Agrarian University, announced at the XVII International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” that the University had signed an agreement this year with the Chechen State University. Together, the higher education institutions will work on carbon farms to reduce the carbon footprint.
“We have been taking part in KazanForum for several years now. We have found common ground with colleagues from Kazakhstan, and representatives from Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan took part in our sessions. Organic products and halal are the drivers of the bioeconomy. We intend to continue along this path and secure additional partners. Furthermore, this involves the training of our personnel, science, and subsequent implementation in production – we will address these issues together,” said Nuriev.
Today, organic products and halal are aimed at protecting human health, noted Aidar Gazizov, Director General of the International Centre for Halal Standardisation and Certification under the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation. The trend towards parallel development has a future. At the same time, biotechnology has a positive impact on halal products.
“We understand that there are certain costs and that the product may be more expensive, but the price can be reduced through wider distribution. We have gone through this process with halal products. Growing volumes, even with the same level of control, will allow us to reduce these costs,” Gazizov said.
The bioindustry spans many sectors of the economy – agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medicine, oil refining, and so on. Bioeconomy is a territory of closed-loop production, where waste-free manufacturing exists, noted Farida Nezhmetdinova, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Law at Kazan State Agrarian University. With regard to halal products, certification bodies are paying close attention to new technologies.
“Many ethical issues arise, including from a religious perspective, when we talk about genetic engineering, accelerated breeding, the use of artificial intelligence, and biotech. So in this sense, we can speak of a certain complexity,” Nezhmetdinova stated.
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The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
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.
“We have been taking part in KazanForum for several years now. We have found common ground with colleagues from Kazakhstan, and representatives from Malaysia and Kyrgyzstan took part in our sessions. Organic products and halal are the drivers of the bioeconomy. We intend to continue along this path and secure additional partners. Furthermore, this involves the training of our personnel, science, and subsequent implementation in production – we will address these issues together,” said Nuriev.
Today, organic products and halal are aimed at protecting human health, noted Aidar Gazizov, Director General of the International Centre for Halal Standardisation and Certification under the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation. The trend towards parallel development has a future. At the same time, biotechnology has a positive impact on halal products.
“We understand that there are certain costs and that the product may be more expensive, but the price can be reduced through wider distribution. We have gone through this process with halal products. Growing volumes, even with the same level of control, will allow us to reduce these costs,” Gazizov said.
The bioindustry spans many sectors of the economy – agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medicine, oil refining, and so on. Bioeconomy is a territory of closed-loop production, where waste-free manufacturing exists, noted Farida Nezhmetdinova, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Law at Kazan State Agrarian University. With regard to halal products, certification bodies are paying close attention to new technologies.
“Many ethical issues arise, including from a religious perspective, when we talk about genetic engineering, accelerated breeding, the use of artificial intelligence, and biotech. So in this sense, we can speak of a certain complexity,” Nezhmetdinova stated.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
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.
