The OIC Reaffirms its Commitment to
Empowering Youth and Strengthening Cooperation with Russia
Kazan:(International NewsDesk)According to Global times News Agancy Europe,In the presence of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, and the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Mr. Valery Falkov, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Russian Federation in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, youth empowerment, and economic development.During his participation in the high-level roundtable held on the sidelines of the Youth Summit, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural, and Social Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Tariq Ali Bakheet, conveyed the greetings of His Excellency Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the OIC Secretary-General, to His Excellency President Rustam Minnikhanov, wishing the summit every success.Amb. Bakheet explained that Russia has held observer status with the OIC since 2005, and that the mechanism of regular consultations between the two sides provides an important framework for cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, educational, scientific, and technological fields. He noted that the Russia-Islamic World Forum in Kazan has become a key platform for cooperation in trade, investment, Islamic finance, halal industries, tourism, agriculture, transport, and technology. The Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, chaired by President Rustam Minnikhanov, continues to promote dialogue between Russia and the OIC member states. The Group celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026.The OIC welcomed the growing cooperation in culture, interfaith dialogue, and youth affairs, including Kazan’s selection as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2026, following its designation as the #OIC #Youth Capital in 2022. Education remains a key priority within this cooperation framework, encompassing academic collaboration, vocational training, language and cultural studies, Islamic studies, intercultural dialogue, and digital education.The OIC expressed its appreciation to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan for providing scholarships to students from the Islamic world, which contributes to strengthening academic exchange and people-to-people ties. The OIC affirmed its readiness to expand practical cooperation in education, youth empowerment, and other areas of mutual interest.At the opening session of the Youth Summit, during the bilateral meeting between the delegations and His Excellency President Rustam Minnikhanov, the OIC Secretary-General, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, in a statement delivered on his behalf by Dr. Boubakri Maiga, Head of the Department of Youth and Sports, expressed the General Secretariat’s appreciation for the efforts of the Republic of Tatarstan in providing young people from the Islamic world and beyond with a platform to exchange experiences and enhance their participation in the development of their societies and countries. He also affirmed the General Secretariat’s readiness to work with the Republic of Tatarstan to strengthen and deepen this fruitful cooperation in the field of youth empowerment.