Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, on the sidelines of their participation in the International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World”, in Kazan, and together they discussed ways to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in areas of common interest.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the presence of a representative of the Russian Federal Government and a number of ministers and advisors to the President of Tatarstan, President Minnikhanov warmly welcomed ICESCO’s outstanding participation in the forum and its contribution to the various discussions, extending his thanks and appreciation to ICESCO for inscribing the Astronomical Observatory of Kazan on the Organization’s Islamic World Heritage List.

The Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan appreciated ICESCO’s keenness to develop cooperation with a number of bodies and institutions in Tatarstan, inviting the Organization to participate in the third edition of Kazan World Youth Summit, due to be held on August 2024.

For his part, ICESCO DG stressed the Organization’s keenness to develop partnership with the Republic of Tatarstan, and presented a number of cooperation proposals, most notably holding specialized conferences on education, culture, science and environment by the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, and organizing a simulation of BRICS Plus Conference for youth, in addition to holding joint international conferences and seminars in Tatarstan and elsewhere.

President of the Republic of Tatarstan welcomed these proposals and promised to consider them and continue coordination with ICESCO in this regard.