The Taliban announced that their Minister of Information and Culture, Sher Ahmad Haqqani, will lead a delegation to participate in the 17th Russia-Islamic World Summit in Kazan from May 12 to 17, 2026. Moscow’s invitation comes amid growing international scrutiny of Taliban governance and credibility.
The summit, described by Russian officials as an economic, cultural, and tourism-focused forum, includes high-level delegations from across the Islamic world, along with planned exhibitions and cultural programs. According to the Taliban, officials from the Russian Ministry of Culture formally extended the invitation to their cultural attaché in Moscow.
In a meeting with Russian officials, the Taliban reportedly advocated for the establishment of a cultural center for Afghans in Moscow. They did not provide details regarding the composition or objectives of the upcoming delegation beyond attending summit events.
Observers note that Russia remains the only country to officially recognize the Taliban government, highlighting the group’s continued diplomatic isolation elsewhere. The summit has been criticized by analysts as an attempt to legitimize a regime that continues to harbor terrorist networks, restrict human rights, and defy UN resolutions.
Last year, a Taliban delegation led by the Minister of Industry and Trade attended the 16th Russia-Islamic World Economic Summit. Reports suggest that Moscow is keen to promote trade and regional cooperation projects involving Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, despite widespread evidence of governance failures and ongoing militant activity within the country.
The Kazan forum plans to host the first international congress on “Energy Security in Eurasia” alongside the main summit. It will present investment projects from Russia and other member states and include exhibitions, forums, and cultural festivals. Analysts warn that Taliban participation in such events risks providing the group with undeserved international legitimacy without addressing critical security and human rights concerns.
Regional and international observers note that inviting the Taliban to high-profile economic and cultural forums, while ignoring their failure to curb terrorism and respect human rights, sends a mixed message. While Russia may seek to engage pragmatically, other global actors—particularly Pakistan, China, and UN agencies—continue to demand actionable accountability from Kabul.
The Taliban’s narrative of presenting Afghanistan as stable and secure stands in stark contrast to repeated reports from Pakistan, the UN, and other regional actors documenting terrorist activity, cross-border attacks, and internal repression. Analysts suggest that forums such as the Kazan summit risk enabling Taliban diplomacy while leaving the ground realities unchallenged.
Human rights advocates also argue that Taliban participation in cultural and economic events should not overshadow the regime’s systematic oppression of women, girls, and minorities, nor its tolerance for extremist groups that threaten regional stability.
Despite these concerns, the Taliban have publicly framed the summit as an opportunity to promote Afghanistan’s participation in international economic and cultural activities. Analysts caution that until the Taliban demonstrate tangible reforms and take meaningful action against terrorist networks, such engagements remain largely symbolic.
Regional experts emphasize that the Taliban’s involvement in international forums should be accompanied by verifiable steps to address security, human rights, and counterterrorism obligations. Without such measures, engagement risks normalizing the Taliban without addressing the fundamental threats posed by their rule.
The Kazan summit serves as a reminder that while the Taliban may secure invitations to select diplomatic and cultural events, the broader international community remains skeptical of their governance and intentions. Afghanistan’s stability, security, and adherence to international norms continue to be the litmus test for meaningful global engagement.
