He said Muslim countries and their regional neighbours must move beyond mere declarations and collaborate on driving digital transformation, energy transition and youth empowerment.

He said that Asean, one of the most peaceful regions in the world with a dynamic economy, had embarked on practical measures like the Asean power grid.

This spirit of working together between Muslim countries and their neighbouring nations would greatly help to uplift the living standards of the people, he said in a speech at the Kazan Forum in Russia today.

Anwar also called for greater youth participation in policy-making to shape the future of the Muslim world.

The Kazan Forum is a key platform for economic cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries. Anwar’s visit to Kazan, in Tatarstan, marked the end of his four-day official visit to Russia.