Participants from Nearly 100 Countries Brought Together at KazanForum 2026
Participants from Nearly 100 Countries Brought Together at KazanForum 2026
15 May
The 17th International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum" was attended by representatives from 99 countries, and the number of participants increased by approximately 15%. Interest in the event is growing, said Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency and a member of the KazanForum organising committee, on the sidelines of the forum.
"In an era of significant technological progress and digitalisation, the role of personal contacts increases, and KazanForum is a platform that allows people to look each other in the eye, speak directly, and discuss projects. KazanForum is a very vibrant platform with a wide variety of formats, where everyone can find comfortable working conditions for themselves," she said.
This year, KazanForum was visited by a large number of official delegations. For instance, Egypt sent four ministers, Mali sent eight. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, took part, noted the head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
A large delegation from Pakistan attended KazanForum – 57 delegates. Taliya Minullina noted that it is important for the country to bring a large group of businesspeople again next year, as well as to set up its own stand at the venue.
"Pakistan is a country whose potential our businesspeople do not yet fully understand. Therefore, we need to do a great deal of work: we need to bring businesses together and arrange business missions," she said.
As part of KazanForum, several events took place, including the Russia–Mali and Russia–Indonesia intergovernmental commissions, a modest fashion show ("Modest Fashion Day"), the Kazan Halal Market international halal trade fair, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the ICESCO General Assembly, during which a new president of the Organization was elected, and many other events, Minullina said.
A number of agreements were signed at the venue, including one on the implementation of an investment project to build a rehabilitation centre in the Zelenodolsk district of Tatarstan, with investments amounting to approximately 2 billion RUB. The project is planned to be completed within the next three years.
Also, at KazanForum, an agreement was signed to build a three‑star hotel with 130 rooms next to the Kazan Expo exhibition centre. The investment is estimated at 1 billion RUB.
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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.
"In an era of significant technological progress and digitalisation, the role of personal contacts increases, and KazanForum is a platform that allows people to look each other in the eye, speak directly, and discuss projects. KazanForum is a very vibrant platform with a wide variety of formats, where everyone can find comfortable working conditions for themselves," she said.
This year, KazanForum was visited by a large number of official delegations. For instance, Egypt sent four ministers, Mali sent eight. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, took part, noted the head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
A large delegation from Pakistan attended KazanForum – 57 delegates. Taliya Minullina noted that it is important for the country to bring a large group of businesspeople again next year, as well as to set up its own stand at the venue.
"Pakistan is a country whose potential our businesspeople do not yet fully understand. Therefore, we need to do a great deal of work: we need to bring businesses together and arrange business missions," she said.
As part of KazanForum, several events took place, including the Russia–Mali and Russia–Indonesia intergovernmental commissions, a modest fashion show ("Modest Fashion Day"), the Kazan Halal Market international halal trade fair, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the ICESCO General Assembly, during which a new president of the Organization was elected, and many other events, Minullina said.
A number of agreements were signed at the venue, including one on the implementation of an investment project to build a rehabilitation centre in the Zelenodolsk district of Tatarstan, with investments amounting to approximately 2 billion RUB. The project is planned to be completed within the next three years.
Also, at KazanForum, an agreement was signed to build a three‑star hotel with 130 rooms next to the Kazan Expo exhibition centre. The investment is estimated at 1 billion RUB.
*****
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.
