Kazan: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday extended a warm welcome to participants of the 16th KazanForum, emphasizing the importance of forging stronger ties between Russia and the Islamic world in sectors such as finance, technology, and regional security. In a message addressed to attendees of the International Economic Forum "Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum," which opens on Tuesday in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Putin expressed his greetings by saying, "I cordially welcome you to hospitable Kazan."
According to Anadolu Agency, the forum, which will run through May 18, is set to host delegations from over 100 countries. Despite ongoing global tensions, Putin reiterated Russia's commitment to enhancing cooperation with Muslim-majority nations across economic, scientific, educational, and humanitarian domains. He highlighted the significance of a meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, which will focus on the development of a digital financial system and include representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The agenda for this year's forum encompasses a range of topics, including trade, Islamic finance, halal standards, and participation-based financial models. The event will see participation from officials representing international organizations, governments, investment groups, and public institutions. Anadolu, the Turkish global news agency, has been named as the global communications partner for the event.
Furthermore, Putin underscored that this edition of the forum coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II, linking the historical legacy to contemporary global challenges. He remarked on the importance of preserving historical lessons to effectively counter modern security threats such as terrorism, extremism, and the escalation of local conflicts.
Putin expressed confidence that the forum will continue to serve as a pivotal platform for fostering productive dialogue and strengthening partnerships between Russia and the Islamic world.