Dr. Salim bin Mohamed AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the proceedings of the Culture Ministers’ Conference, held in Kazan, in the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, at the invitation of the Russian Ministry of Culture, with the participation of His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, National Leader of Turkmenistan, and several ministers in charge of cultural affairs from across the Islamic world.

In his address, Rais Minnikhanov affirmed that, far from being a mere honorary title, the act of granting Kazan the title of Culture Capital in the Islamic World, under the ICESCO Program for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World, is a crowning of Tatarstan’s contributions to enriching Islamic civilization and building the future, underscoring the significance of celebrating Kazan as a platform for international dialogue.

Meanwhile, National Leader Berdimuhamedow praised the efforts of international organizations, notably ICESCO, in promoting the human values of Islamic world civilization and supporting ICESCO’s Member States in the fields of education, science, and culture. The National Leader also expressed Turkmenistan’s readiness to collaborate with the Organization in implementing several projects.

Dr. AlMalik started his speech by congratulating Turkmenistan on its accession to ICESCO as an observer state, reaffirming the Organization’s readiness to celebrate the city of Ashgabat as a Culture Capital in the Islamic World under its dedicated program for culture capitals. He further noted that, through its various programs and projects in the fields of education, science and scientific research, knowledge dissemination, cultural promotion, and heritage preservation, ICESCO endeavors to broaden the horizons of cooperation with institutions, universities, and research centers in the Russian Federation.

The Director-General commended the strong relationship binding the Islamic world and the Russian Federation together, thanks to their shared values and principles, which strengthen the bonds of tolerance, solidarity, and mutual respect among peoples and communities.