The XV International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is taking place in the capital of Tatarstan, the city of Kazan. This forum is one of the key events in the interaction of the Russian Federation with the countries of the Islamic world – both from near and far abroad. The importance of the international platform also fully corresponds to the current global realities of a multipolar world, all in terms of interaction within the framework of the global majority.
“Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is a platform for the development of cooperation in the field of trade relations, foreign direct investments, discussion of issues of the Islamic financial system. The goals of the Forum comprise the growth of trade turnover, implementation of projects, development of partner banking, technological alliances in Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as attracting investments.
For the first time, the International Economic Summit of Russia and the OIC member countries was held in 2009, having created a leading international platform for address the issues of cooperation and implementation of joint projects. In May 2023, a record number of events were held within the framework of the Forum – about 200. 16 thousand people from 80 countries of the world became their participants, over 130 agreements were concluded. Also in 2023, according to the decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the Forum was granted a federal status.
The main topics of the KazanForum 2024 business program will be: international cooperation, Islamic finance and investment, halal industry, science and technology, doing business together, infrastructural development, human resource today and tomorrow, female perspective, international forum of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Russia and Islamic countries, tourism and culture. The International Exhibition of Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Russia Halal Expo, International Trade Fair Kazan Halal Market and the festival of decent fashion Modest Fashion Day will also be organised within the framework of the Forum.
In general, the KazanForum is undoubtedly the main platform for cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world. It should of course also be noted that the city of Kazan itself, as well as the Republic of Tatarstan, represent among the main symbols of the close and very harmonious centuries-old presence of Islam on the Russian soil. This without forgetting the fact that Kazan is probably one of the main symbols of the driving role of Eurasia in global multipolar processes. Just like the fact that the city is simply the third official capital of the Russian Federation and has very extensive experience in organizing major international events.
Obviously, it should be remembered at the same time that Russia is a country where Islam is the second religion for the country’s citizens, in terms of number of practitioners. More precisely – it is more than 20 million people, without forgetting that millions of citizens from other countries, especially neighboring states, living in the Russian Federation, also profess the Muslim religion.
And of course, Russia shares the closest and most strategic ties with these countries, from the said near abroad, post-Soviet states belonging to the Eurasian space. Regarding the practical aspect of interaction between Russia and the Islamic world, our country also maintains deep and long-standing ties with many other foreign countries, this time from the said distant abroad, and where the population is predominately Muslim. These include countries in the Middle East, North and several countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, not forgetting influential countries belonging to the Southeast Asian region, such as Indonesia, for example.
In addition to the commercial and economic interests that unite Russia and the states of the Islamic world, there are many other areas of mutual interest. This includes support for the international multipolar order from many Muslim-majority countries. Just like adherence to the traditional values, in opposition to the “orientations” that the Western planetary minority tries in vain to impose. It is also about the unacceptability of double standards in international relations – double standards once again applied by an obvious global minority.
Without the slightest doubt, active interaction between Russia and the Islamic world is based on the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation, respecting the interests of all parties involved. And this, both within the framework of bilateral and multilateral relations. This once again takes into account a large number of common interests and points of view. Just as it is obvious that Russia is precisely one of those countries where the Muslim population has felt comfortable for centuries, lives in harmony and security, and does not experience the oppression and hatred that can be observed in the territories of many regimes belonging to the Western minority. This is, among other things, the strength of our country and the basis for further fruitful interaction with numerous external partners.
As for the KazanForum platform, there is once again no doubt that the city of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan will traditionally host the event at the highest level, thereby further strengthening the positions of one of the most important platforms in the multipolar world.
Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov, entrepreneur, political commentator, expert on African and Middle Eastern issues, exclusively for the internet journal “New Eastern Outlook”