Marat Zyabbarov attended the 20th Anniversary Congress of the Council of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan
The 20th Congress of the Council of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan was held today in Kazan. Participants included Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, State Counselor of the Republic Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas,Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan and Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Zyabbarov, veterans of the SVO - deputies of local government representative bodies and participants in the educational program "Batyrlar. Heroes of Tatarstan," and representatives of all 956 municipalities of the republic. Pavel Krasheninnikov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation, greeted the congress participants via video link.
The event was chaired by Ekzam Gubaydullin, Chairman of the Association "Council of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan." In his report, he noted that the current congress marks its 20th anniversary. Local government elections were held in September 2005, and municipal government began its work. When municipal reform began, virtually all existing village, city, and district councils were retained.
"Today, we have the largest number of municipalities in Russia—956. More than 15,000 deputies and municipal employees work in the local government system. And most importantly, over these years, we have accumulated unique experience in the harmonious collaboration of state and municipal authorities," said Ekzam Gubaydullin.
He emphasized that this is the first time that deputies who participated in the SMO are participating in the congress. "It is very important that participants in the special military operation are elected to the local deputy corps, which represents the interests of residents. Their experience and professional skills are in demand at all levels of government," the Association Chairman remarked. Ekzam Gubaydullin emphasized that the republic's local authorities have been doing everything possible to achieve the set goals since the very beginning of the Second Military Operation. They are in constant close contact with the population, and are the first to be approached by the families of service members and those who have returned home. Heads of districts and rural settlements organize humanitarian aid shipments and resolve local issues. Residents of municipal districts and urban areas, in turn, provide support to soldiers and their families and collect humanitarian aid for the front and their sponsored cities.
As a reminder, in March of this year, the State Duma adopted a law on the right of regions to choose their local self-government system: to transition to a single-tier system or maintain a two-tier one. Tatarstan proposed the initiative to allow regions to independently determine their self-government model. As a result, the republic retained its two-tier system of municipal districts comprising rural and urban settlements.
Rustam Minnikhanov noted that major changes are currently underway in the country, and that tasks are being implemented to improve local self-government. "It's important to choose a path that won't leave you with regrets later. A single-tier system has its place, but under certain conditions. Today, in Tatarstan, the majority of over 40 republican programs are aimed at supporting rural areas. We are all for a strong Russia. But what will our country look like without a strong rural system?" said the Rais of the Republic.
Summing up the year, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that, despite unprecedented pressure, Tatarstan's economy continues to grow, ensuring growth in key macroeconomic indicators. According to estimates, by the end of the year, the republic's GRP will amount to 5.6 trillion rubles (102.5%), the industrial production index will be 109% (shipment volume is approaching 6 trillion rubles), construction volume will exceed 1 trillion rubles, agricultural output will exceed 400 billion rubles, an increase of 7%, and fixed capital investment will reach 1.6 trillion rubles. Tatarstan is among the leaders (2nd place) in the National Investment Climate Rating. The Republic ranks first in the ranking of the effectiveness of industrial policy implementation in the country's regions.
The Rais of Tatarstan thanked President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Government, headed by Mikhail Mishustin, for their support of the Republic. "Never in history have we built so many roads. Never have we had such large-scale programs in healthcare and education. Despite all the difficulties, enormous changes are taking place in the country," he emphasized.
2025 in our country marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Year of Defender of the Fatherland. Rustam Minnikhanov noted that all municipal districts and urban districts of the Republic held commemorative events dedicated to the Victory anniversary. New monuments, busts, and memorial plaques were unveiled.
"Participants of the special military operation. Among them are tens of thousands of Tatarstan residents who defend our homeland, steadfastly enduring all the hardships of military service, demonstrating coordinated combat operations and strong spirit. One of the primary tasks of government agencies at all levels today is to support military personnel and their families. It is essential to constantly monitor assistance to the families of special military operation participants, especially the families of those killed and missing in action, as well as soldiers undergoing long-term treatment. I know that these issues are your daily focus. I would like to thank you for your systematic work in this area," the Rais of the Republic addressed the congress participants.
Rustam Minnikhanov extended special thanks to the municipal community, concerned citizens, volunteers, the business community, heads of municipalities, and local government deputies for their active participation in the formation and delivery of humanitarian aid for soldiers directly in the special military operation zone, in the cities of Lisichansk and Rubezhnoye.
Rustam Minnikhanov noted the significant contribution of the republic's enterprises to strengthening the country's defense capability. He recalled that, as a sign of the deepest respect for the defenders of the Fatherland and home front workers, 2026 has been declared the Year of Military and Labor Valor in the republic. Municipalities, together with republican bodies, must ensure the implementation of all objectives set forth in the upcoming year's themes.
The Rais of Tatarstan named the socialization and employment of combat veterans as the most important task for local governments. Following this year's municipal elections, 113 participants of the SMO were elected as local government deputies, 15 of whom participated in the "Batyrlar: Heroes of Tatarstan" personnel program.
The main socio-political event of next year will be the elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the ninth convocation. "Our joint goal is to ensure worthy representation of the republic in the national Parliament. With increasing political competition, attempts by destructive forces to influence voter opinion are already being observed. Therefore, ensuring direct communication with the public and conducting outreach efforts is increasingly important. Municipal authorities today must focus on further strengthening dialogue with the public and local communities, promptly responding to citizen inquiries, including through social media and digital feedback platforms, and supporting low-income groups and large families," emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov.
The current congress of the Council of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan is a reporting and election meeting. "I hope the Association will continue its work to develop and improve local self-government and inter-municipal cooperation, as well as interaction with executive authorities," added Rais Tatarstan.
Rustam Minnikhanov then presented a number of state awards for outstanding achievements in the development of local self-government in the Republic of Tatarstan.
The congress participants then unanimously elected Ekzam Gubaidullin as Chairman of the Association "Council of Municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan" and also elected a new composition of the governing bodies.