The summit, held in cooperation with the Turkish Presidential Investment and Finance Office, the Turkish Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, Ibn Haldun University, the Istanbul Financial Center, and the Al Baraka Group, is titled "Islamic Economic Strategies for an Effective Global Economy." It will continue until June 1.
In his opening remarks, Arda Ermut, Managing Director of the Turkish Sovereign Wealth Fund, said that from the perspective of the Turkish Sovereign Wealth Fund, Islamic investment and finance represent both a national goal and a strategic investment.
Armut expressed his hope that the Istanbul Financial Center would become a financial center for both Turkey and Islamic finance.
He emphasized his belief that Islamic finance can be a pioneering tool in a more just and sustainable financial system.
He added, "Our vision is to expand, deepen, and modernize Islamic finance through digital innovation tools. This means investing in technology, legal infrastructure, financial awareness and education, creating new tools, expanding the investment base, supporting investors, and offering advanced solutions."
He pointed out that Islamic finance is not merely an alternative, but rather a serious response to the era of uncertainty the world is experiencing.
For his part, Secretary General of the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economics, Yousef Hassan Khalawi, said that they do not aim to follow existing paths, but rather to create new ones and build new paths.
"That's why we're in Istanbul, Medina, and London, and we'll continue to be present in many other cities," Khalawi added.
He added, "I would like to thank our partners and sponsors here. I am not only talking about this global summit in Istanbul, but also about making this center part of the Islamic economy ecosystem in the future."