“Women’s View” Track Opens at KazanForum‑2026
“Women’s View” Track Opens at KazanForum‑2026
14 May
Today, the “Women’s View” track opened as part of the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2026”. For the fourth year running, the track is held on the initiative of “Mәrhәmet – Mercy”, an association of women deputies of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan. This year, the platform focuses on the role of women in the economy and business, education, co-operation and healthcare. Participants are discussing key trends in the development of women’s entrepreneurship, innovative projects and co-operation initiatives, the influence of women on building a sustainable economy in social sectors, as well as the digital transformation of industries in Russia and the Islamic world. The opening of the track was moderated by Anisa Gordina, head of programming at RT Arabic.
Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, addressed Forum participants via video link with a welcoming speech. ‘I wish you engaging, productive work, good results, and that you maintain the connections and contacts you are fortunate enough to establish at the Forum,’ she said.
Alsu Nabiyeva, head of “Mәrhәmet – Mercy”, the association of women deputies of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, told journalists more about the work of the “Women’s View” platform. “Our track certainly graces the KazanForum every year. This year, we have guests from 22 countries, and they are presenting a variety of topics. This year, our track is dedicated to issues of artificial intelligence, new economic trajectories, taking into account contemporary challenges and integrations,” said Alsu Nabiyeva. “There is also a separate track dedicated to the interaction of women representing various international organisations – BRICS, ASEAN, the SCO. Separate platforms will be run by the Women’s Union of Russia and the Eurasian Women’s Forum.”
Alsu Nabiyeva said that this year the Forum has invited producer and actress Lucélia Santos, star of the famous Brazilian soap opera “Escrava Isaura”. “This was the first “soap opera” to appear in our country. Its heroine fights for human rights, for women’s rights. It will be very interesting to hear her story and learn about the situation regarding women’s rights in her country,” said Alsu Nabiyeva. “This year, using artificial intelligence systems, we have analysed the position of women in different countries: how many women they have in parliaments, how many in Cabinets of Ministers, how many head large organisations. This was done in order to ask each other: do we have room to move forward? What are we, as women, doing in this era of geopolitical challenges to apply our competencies to the economic agenda and negotiation processes? Are we sufficiently represented in state affairs?”
At the opening ceremony of the women's track, Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla, Chairwoman of the UAE Business Women's Council, also spoke. “First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the organisers of the track. I am very pleased to be taking part in the International Forum today alongside representatives of economic communities from around the world and from Russia, where there is an opportunity to exchange experiences,” emphasised Aisha Mohammed. “The life experience and role of Arab women is great. We now see how women continue to develop in many fields and occupy leadership positions, and this has become especially noticeable in recent years. We have noticed that women are now being equated with men in all areas of work, and as we know, the United Arab Emirates currently ranks thirteenth in the global ranking in these indicators.”
According to the Chairwoman of the UAE Business Women's Council, more than 50% of women are currently working in various sectors of the economy. “We also see the important role of women in that they help create stability in society. We want to show other countries how the United Arab Emirates is shaping the personality of the Arab woman, who is involved in all spheres of our society's life,” noted Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla. “We are now observing that women are striving to develop in the field of AI. Why? To create innovations based on our historical heritage and our traditions. And we understand that countries help each other in this. We also see at this moment how Russia, despite all the sanctions, is actively developing in this direction. Russia now plays a very important role in the international market and in international politics because, for example, we share close, similar values with Russia. We understand how to build new cultural bridges.”
Over the course of two days, six events are planned within the “Women’s View” track. Participants will discuss business issues during the session “Women of the Islamic World: Entrepreneurship and Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, as well as at the session “Expanding the Horizons of Co-operation for Women Entrepreneurs”. The contribution of women to the economy will be discussed in the sessions “Women in the Economy: Vectors of International Co-operation” and “The Female Factor in Economic Growth: Family, Society, Future”.
Today, as part of the “Women’s View” track, a session will be held entitled “Women of the Islamic World: Entrepreneurship and Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, where participants will discuss issues of empowering women entrepreneurs and the use of artificial intelligence in business. In addition, a session on “Women’s Career Trajectories: Opportunities, Challenges and Development Prospects” will take place. Participants of the “Women's Track” will share their personal experiences in building international businesses, as well as stories of opportunities for women at the intersection of family mission and professional ambitions.
The platform also saw the participation of Tatiana Larionova, deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Svetlana Orlova, auditor of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation; and Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, General Director of the Islamic Centre for Trade Development (Morocco).
*****
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 Cooperation 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.
Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, addressed Forum participants via video link with a welcoming speech. ‘I wish you engaging, productive work, good results, and that you maintain the connections and contacts you are fortunate enough to establish at the Forum,’ she said.
Alsu Nabiyeva, head of “Mәrhәmet – Mercy”, the association of women deputies of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, told journalists more about the work of the “Women’s View” platform. “Our track certainly graces the KazanForum every year. This year, we have guests from 22 countries, and they are presenting a variety of topics. This year, our track is dedicated to issues of artificial intelligence, new economic trajectories, taking into account contemporary challenges and integrations,” said Alsu Nabiyeva. “There is also a separate track dedicated to the interaction of women representing various international organisations – BRICS, ASEAN, the SCO. Separate platforms will be run by the Women’s Union of Russia and the Eurasian Women’s Forum.”
Alsu Nabiyeva said that this year the Forum has invited producer and actress Lucélia Santos, star of the famous Brazilian soap opera “Escrava Isaura”. “This was the first “soap opera” to appear in our country. Its heroine fights for human rights, for women’s rights. It will be very interesting to hear her story and learn about the situation regarding women’s rights in her country,” said Alsu Nabiyeva. “This year, using artificial intelligence systems, we have analysed the position of women in different countries: how many women they have in parliaments, how many in Cabinets of Ministers, how many head large organisations. This was done in order to ask each other: do we have room to move forward? What are we, as women, doing in this era of geopolitical challenges to apply our competencies to the economic agenda and negotiation processes? Are we sufficiently represented in state affairs?”
At the opening ceremony of the women's track, Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla, Chairwoman of the UAE Business Women's Council, also spoke. “First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the organisers of the track. I am very pleased to be taking part in the International Forum today alongside representatives of economic communities from around the world and from Russia, where there is an opportunity to exchange experiences,” emphasised Aisha Mohammed. “The life experience and role of Arab women is great. We now see how women continue to develop in many fields and occupy leadership positions, and this has become especially noticeable in recent years. We have noticed that women are now being equated with men in all areas of work, and as we know, the United Arab Emirates currently ranks thirteenth in the global ranking in these indicators.”
According to the Chairwoman of the UAE Business Women's Council, more than 50% of women are currently working in various sectors of the economy. “We also see the important role of women in that they help create stability in society. We want to show other countries how the United Arab Emirates is shaping the personality of the Arab woman, who is involved in all spheres of our society's life,” noted Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla. “We are now observing that women are striving to develop in the field of AI. Why? To create innovations based on our historical heritage and our traditions. And we understand that countries help each other in this. We also see at this moment how Russia, despite all the sanctions, is actively developing in this direction. Russia now plays a very important role in the international market and in international politics because, for example, we share close, similar values with Russia. We understand how to build new cultural bridges.”
Over the course of two days, six events are planned within the “Women’s View” track. Participants will discuss business issues during the session “Women of the Islamic World: Entrepreneurship and Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, as well as at the session “Expanding the Horizons of Co-operation for Women Entrepreneurs”. The contribution of women to the economy will be discussed in the sessions “Women in the Economy: Vectors of International Co-operation” and “The Female Factor in Economic Growth: Family, Society, Future”.
Today, as part of the “Women’s View” track, a session will be held entitled “Women of the Islamic World: Entrepreneurship and Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, where participants will discuss issues of empowering women entrepreneurs and the use of artificial intelligence in business. In addition, a session on “Women’s Career Trajectories: Opportunities, Challenges and Development Prospects” will take place. Participants of the “Women's Track” will share their personal experiences in building international businesses, as well as stories of opportunities for women at the intersection of family mission and professional ambitions.
The platform also saw the participation of Tatiana Larionova, deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Svetlana Orlova, auditor of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation; and Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, General Director of the Islamic Centre for Trade Development (Morocco).
*****
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 Cooperation 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.
