The event is expected to host Russian Foreign Minister H.E. Sergey Lavrov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Federal Agency Rossotrudnichestvo Mr. E.A. Primakov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Ms. K.D. Razuvaeva, representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, heads of International Organizations, Ambassadors of the OIC Countries, H.E. Taha Ayhan, President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), representatives of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia-Islamic World,” and leaders of organizations working in the fields of Public Diplomacy, Youth Policies, and Islamic Cooperation.

During the inauguration ceremony of the Kazan – OIC Youth Capital 2022, an exhibition dedicated to the celebration of the 1100th Anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria will be held, as well as a symbolic key-handover ceremony that will kick off a series of activities of the OIC Youth Capital Program.

Agenda of the Inauguration Ceremony will include:

• Speeches by the Heads of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Federal Agency of Rosmolodezh, and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum
• Presentation of Events of the Kazan – OIC Youth Capital 2022
• Cultural Performance by the Tatarstan Youth
• Visit the exhibition dedicated to celebrating the 1100th Anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria.
• Buffet and tasting of Tatar Cuisine and Flavors

For reference:

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (referred to as the OIC) Youth Capital is a title awarded to a city for one year. The selected city gets a chance to demonstrate the best practices for developing youth’s socio-economic and political activity.

The status allows the implementation of major international youth events with the cooperation of leading experts and leaders of the Islamic world, giving young people the opportunity to realize their potential on a global scale while also promoting the city on the international arena as a center for innovation and youth development.

The OIC Youth Capital International Program was initiated by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) at its 2nd General Assembly, held in October 2014. The idea of a set of events within the framework of the OIC Youth Capital was supported by delegates of ICYF member youth organizations.

In November 2021, at the Executive Board Meeting of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, it was decided to award the title “OIC Youth Capital – 2022” to the city of Kazan. The status was assigned to a city of the Russian Federation with muslim majority, an observer state in the OIC, for the first time.

Date: March 15, 2022

Time: 15:30 (Moscow time)

Venue: The Reception House of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Moscow, 17 Spiridonovka str., building 1)