Kazan, Russia May 16, 2025 --- The Head of Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) or the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Ahmad Haikal Hasan, was a resource person at the international event "Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2025" which took place on May 13-18, 2025 in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. This international forum is an important momentum for BPJPH to introduce Indonesia's great potential in the halal industry, while strengthening Indonesia's position as a strategic partner in the development of international halal standards.

As a resource person at the Kazan Forum 2025, Ahmad Haikal Hasan spoke about "Halal Industry Strategy" with the theme Global Halal Economic Potential (Strategy to Create a Halal Ecosystem). In it, the man who is familiarly called Babe Haikal also explained the recognition mechanism of Russian Halal Certification Bodies and various potentials that can be collaborated on.

On that occasion, Ahmad Haikal Hasan emphasized the importance of international collaboration to create credible and mutually recognized halal standards. He explained Indonesia's experience in building a halal product assurance ecosystem, starting with the establishment of a halal institution under the authority of the government, namely BPJPH through Law 33/2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance, to implementing an integrated halal information system (Sihalal) that provides halal certification services which can be accessed virtually, both domestically and internationally.

"Halal is indeed not for Muslims only, halal is indeed for everyone, believers or non-believers. Halal has shifted and transformed from not solely religious issues, but also economic issues. Halal is a symbol of modern civilization, of healthiness, of cleanliness, of transparency, of animal welfare, of traceability, and trustability," said Ahmad Haikal Hasan at the forum.

The concept of halal has transformed not only about religion, but also into a global standard for modern civilization, quality, health, cleanliness, ethics, animal welfare, trust, and sustainability. Halal is no longer just an obligation for Muslims, but has become a conscious choice for the world community because it promises safe, clean, transparent, and reliable products.

"Currently we have different halal standards around the world, but we can start to have a "mindset" of global halal standards that are mutually recognized by OIC member countries. We must have the same mindset about this, because if we want to be winners in the halal industry, we must be together, not separate or individual". he continued.

According to him, strong and healthy collaboration between OIC countries is needed to immediately compile global halal standards, in order to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The presence of BPJPH in this international forum was welcomed by various parties, including global halal industry players and international halal certification institutions.

"As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has a vision to become the center of global halal. Through BPJPH, we continue to encourage the strengthening and harmonization of halal standards so that halal products are increasingly competitive in the international market," said Ahmad Haikal Hasan.

In the forum, he also explained about the process of mutual recognition and acceptance of Halal Certificates between BPJPH and foreign halal institutions (LHLN) of other countries, both government and private LHLN.

In addition to being a resource person, the Head of BPJPH also held bilateral meetings with halal certification institutions from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other OIC countries. This meeting aims to expand cooperation on mutual recognition of halal certification (mutual recognition agreement) and strengthen the global halal industry network. The bilateral meeting between BPJPH and the Saudi Halal Center, Saudi Arabia, and RussAccreditation & RussQuality, Russia, discussed the continuation of the implementation of the cooperation (MoU) between BPJPH and RussAccreditation which was signed at the Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission on Trade Economic & Technical Cooperation event at the A. A Maramis II building, Ministry of Finance, Jakarta Indonesia on April 15th 2025.

The Kazan Halal Forum 2025, which is a strategic event for OIC member countries and other global partners in strengthening the world's halal economy, held around 120 thematic sessions discussing various topics, such as the halal industry, partnership-based financing, tourism, transportation, and others. The forum aims to strengthen trade, economic, scientific, technical, educational, social, and cultural relations between Russia and OIC member countries and other non-OIC members.