Kazan, May 12, 2026 /Kabar/. The 17th International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum" has started on Tuesday in Tatarstan's capital city. In 2026, it became the largest venue in the forum's history, according to the event's organizers.
Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina told reporters that representatives from over 100 countries have registered to participate in the forum, representatives from 103 countries have confirmed their participation to date.
"Today, we have 103 countries registered. This is a record for us; we've never had such representation," Minullina said at a briefing at the Tatarstan's government.
According to her, the forum's business program includes 149 events—sessions, roundtables, and exhibitions covering various areas, including Islamic finance, international trade, the halal industry, construction, digitalization, artificial intelligence, culture, education, and media.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also welcomed the forum participants. In an address published on the website of the forum, Putin noted that Russia strives to deepen friendly relations with all Islamic states and actively engages with them on the international stage.
"Representatives of various religions and peoples have lived in our country for centuries, each preserving its uniqueness and identity. And it is symbolic that the forum is being held in the Republic of Tatarstan—a dynamically developing Russian region where traditions of interethnic harmony are carefully preserved," the Russian president said in his address.
In 2025, the forum was attended by more than 22,000 people from 96 countries and 82 regions of Russia.
The 17th International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum", being held on May 12-17, is a platform for strengthening trade, economic, scientific, technical, social, and cultural ties between Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.