Baku, Azerbaijan 16 June 2026: The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group’s Halal Economy Leadership Forum (HELF) and the Azerbaijan Halal Business Forum (AZHAB Forum 2026) successfully convened in Baku under the theme “Halal Economy for Sustainable Regional Integration”, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, development institutions, investors, and private sector stakeholders from across IsDB Member Countries and beyond.

Organized within the framework of the Private Sector Forum (PSF 2026) during the 51st Annual Meetings of the IsDB Group, the Forum served as a high-level platform to explore opportunities for strengthening halal ecosystems, promoting sustainable economic development, enhancing regional trade and investment, and advancing cross-border cooperation.

The Forum was jointly organized through the collaboration of the IsDB Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur (KLCoE), the Azerbaijan Halal Business Forum (AZHAB Forum), Malaysia’s Halal Development Corporation (HDC), and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), with support from local and international partners.

Opening the Forum, Mr Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mr Samer Elesawi, Head of the IsDB Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur, highlighted the growing importance of the halal economy as a strategic driver of economic diversification, sustainable development, food security, industrial growth, and regional integration. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as key contributors to innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.

The Forum featured four thematic leadership dialogues focusing on:

• Ethical halal business models and resilient financing mechanisms;
• Innovation, trust, and global growth opportunities within the halal industry;
• Sustainable development of halal MSMEs and green value chains; and
• Development of advanced halal industrial zones and integrated halal ecosystems.

A Ministerial Session on “Halal Economy for Sustainable Regional Integration” brought together senior government representatives and IsDB Group institutions to discuss policy priorities, investment opportunities, and practical measures to strengthen regional cooperation and halal trade among Member Countries.

The Forum highlighted the increasing relevance of integrated halal ecosystems that combine industry development, standards and certification, financing solutions, innovation, sustainability, and market access as key enablers of long-term competitiveness.

As one of the flagship halal economy platforms within the IsDB ecosystem, HELF/AZHAB 2026 reaffirmed the commitment of participating institutions to support the development of resilient, sustainable, and globally connected halal ecosystems that contribute to economic growth, trade expansion, food security, and shared prosperity across IsDB Member Countries.

The Forum concluded with a renewed commitment among stakeholders to pursue practical partnerships, technical cooperation initiatives, investment opportunities, and knowledge-sharing activities that advance the halal economy as a catalyst for sustainable regional integration and development.