Kazan (UNA) – The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, affirmed the organization’s keenness to continue strengthening cooperation with the Russian Federation and developing its mechanisms in a way that achieves common goals and responds to current challenges, stressing the importance of intensifying coordination and consultation on issues of common interest in a way that supports security, stability and sustainable development.
This came in a speech delivered on his behalf during the annual meeting of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World”, held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, by the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ambassador Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Dubaie, in the presence of the President of the Republic and Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov, representatives of the Russian government, and a number of officials and participants.
The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government for their continued interest in strengthening cooperation relations with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, noting that these relations have witnessed remarkable development since Russia obtained observer status in the organization in 2005.
He noted that relations between the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Russian Federation have been characterized over the past years by an institutional nature and by multiple areas of cooperation, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural and humanitarian exchange.
He stressed the importance of the political consultation mechanism between the General Secretariat of the Organization and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an effective framework for promoting dialogue and coordination on issues of common interest, which contributes to supporting security and stability at the regional and international levels.
He explained that the current meeting coincides with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World”, which has proven its status as a leading platform for promoting dialogue, building trust and developing partnerships between the two sides over the course of two decades.
He added that the meeting represents an important platform for discussing new prospects for cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, in addition to discussing a number of current international issues, noting that the meeting’s program includes specialized sessions on cultural and humanitarian cooperation, interfaith dialogue, and scientific, technological and economic cooperation.
He praised the organization of the sessions on the Greater Eurasian Partnership and media cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, given their importance in promoting regional integration and developing a common media discourse.
He also praised the Kazan International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World”, which is being held this year under the slogan “Russia – Islamic World: Trust and Cooperation”, as a key platform for promoting economic cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries with broad participation from governments, the private sector, financial institutions and experts.
He noted the declaration of Kazan as the capital of Islamic culture for 2026, considering that this step reflects the depth of civilizational and cultural ties between Russia and the Islamic world, and contributes to strengthening dialogue between civilizations and highlighting common values among peoples.
In closing, the Secretary-General expressed his hope to enhance the fruitful cooperation between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Republic of Tatarstan and all components of the Russian Federation, wishing the meeting success and hoping that its outcomes would contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership during the next decade.
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