His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) at the historical Kazan City Hall. This came as part of the visit by ICESCO DG and his delegation to Tatarstan to participate in the Kazan 2023 World Youth Summit.

During this meeting, held on Tuesday, August 29th, 2023, in the presence of the Ministers of Education, Culture and Sports, the Assistant to the Rais and the Deputy Prime Minister, as well as several representatives of Russian youth bodies, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, and highlighted the ongoing programmes and projects, stressing the Organisation’s keenness to cooperate with the Republic of Tatarstan in fields of mutual interest.

The Meeting also touched upon cooperation proposals between the two parties, particularly about youth capacity-building and skill development to stay abreast of global changes. Furthermore, the meeting provided an opportunity to address ICESCO participation in the 2024 meeting of the heads of State of the BRICS Plus and the International Economic Forum, titled “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum,” as well as the potential for partnering in the organisation of the International Digital and Virtual Games Forum, to be held in Tatarstan, and the creation of an ICESCO scientific chair at the Innopolis University.
Moreover, the meeting considered the possibility of celebrating Kazan as the Culture Capital of the Islamic World.

On his part, Rais Rustam Minnikhanov lauded ICESCO’s initiatives and efforts in its areas of competence, reiterating his keenness to foster fruitful cooperation with the Organisation.

Following the meeting, ICESCO DG delivered an address during the session on “Role of Traditional Values in Educating Children and Youth in the Contemporary World,” in the presence of Rais Rustam Minnikhanov, as part of the second day of the 2023 Kazan Global Youth Summit, hosted by the government of the Republic of Tatarstan, in partnership with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organisation’s efforts to promote youth issues and attract the best young talents to work across its various centres, sectors, and departments, highlighting ICESCO’s youth-oriented programmes, initiatives, and conferences, and underscoring the Organisation’s commitment to building fruitful partnerships to contribute to the skill-development and leadership capacity-building of the Islamic World’s youth.

ICESCO DG also praised the 2023 Kazan Global Youth Summit and acknowledged the relentless efforts of the Republic of Tatarstan in striving to build a better future for youth.