The Islamic Cooperation Organization, which is a member of Bahrain, increased its cooperation with Russia significantly, as the total trade exchange between Russia and the Islamic Cooperation Organization increased by 30% and rapprochement between the parties will continue within the framework of the sixteenth International Economic Forum «Russia -the Islamic world Qazan Forum », which will be held from May 13 to 18 in Russia, while cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Russia will be one of the important axes of the participants. There are common points and many reasons for the development of cooperation between Bahrain and Russia. In 2025, the two countries celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and this was confirmed by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Russian Federation, Ahmed Al -Saati, for reporters in December 2024, saying: “Works are developing and we are looking for areas that can be improved, especially in the areas of tourism, education and medicine, where These areas have great potential, support the exchange of visits between delegations and we expect that these visits will increase in 2025, Because many businessmen have visited Russia, and they have seen promising opportunities for a fruitful future. ”
It is noteworthy that the businessmen from the two countries participated in the implementation of about 30 large projects with a value of approximately $ 500 million in 2024, and the head of the strategic vision group “Russia-the Islamic World” met the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minikhanov, in December 2024 with the ambassador who is extraordinary and commissioned For the Kingdom of Bahrain to Russia, Ahmed Ismail Al -Saati.
He pointed out that the Bahraini delegations continue their visits to the Republic and participate regularly in the Tatarstan Oil, Gas and Chemicals Forum and the International Economic Forum “Russia – the Islamic World … the Kazan Forum”, and they also contribute greatly to the work of the strategic vision group “Russia – the Islamic world”.
During a meeting, the two parties discussed the development of economic commercial cooperation, enhancing relations in the fields of scientific, educational, cultural and tourism, and cooperation in the field of banking services and Islamic finance, and in addition to that the halal industry.
In January 2025, the cooperation plans between the General Council of Banks and Islamic Financial Institutions and the Economic Management of the Mufti of Russia were announced. In the wake of a working meeting in Bahrain, the two parties agreed to cooperate in the fields of educational programs, hold conferences and exchange information. The Russian side is also planning in the near future to organize listeners groups for a number of programs proposed by the Bahraini organization. The Accounting and Review Authority for Islamic Financial Institutions, an international organization based in Manama, plans to hold an international conference in Russia this year for the first time on the issue of Islamic financing and investment. The Sixteenth International Economic Forum «Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum» 2025. which will be held in Kazan (the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan) from May 13 to 18, is the main platform for trade cooperation between Russia and the global south countries-the Islamic world.
The Kazan Forum 2024 gathered more than 20,000 participants, including 11,978 participants in the business program from 87 countries, including 57 countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. More than 40 diplomatic missions from Europe, Asia and Africa were represented. About 180 events were held in the framework of the forum, which led to the conclusion of 120 agreements.
Participants in the Kazan Forum are prominent experts from the Islamic world, including representatives of international organizations, national diplomatic missions, Islamic clerics, government authorities, financial institutions, large international companies, deputies, investors, businessmen, heads of media institutions and media.
The forum aims to enhance trade, economic, scientific, technical, educational, social and cultural relations between the Russian Federation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The Kazan Forum program 2025 includes more than 100 sessions and events on the following topics: international cooperation, business, Islamic finance and halal industry, transportation and logistics services, science and technology, information technology, industry, construction, medicine, education, tourism, culture, and the media industry.
