Statement of the Mufti of Moscow, Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, Albir Hazrat Krganov Third session: “Public policy objectives in education in and teaching of minority languages” UN European Headquarters, Geneva 28 November, 2019 Theme of statement: “The role of the implementation of public policy in education in and teaching of minority languages in modern Russia” Dear participants of the Forum! I cordially greet you on behalf of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia and the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, I wish all those present good health, wellbeing, and happiness. Public policy issues in the field of education in and teaching of minority languages are of great theoretical and practical importance, and are relevant for many countries in many ways. Over the course of many centuries, Russia has developed as the world's largest multinational state, in which unique unity and diversity, a spiritual community, and the union of different peoples have been preserved thanks to the historical unifying role of the Russian people. Speaking at the final plenary session of the 16th meeting of the “Valdai” International Discussion Club, President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin stated “As a matter of fact, Russia, from the very beginning of its creation and formation was a multinational, multireligious country. In a sense, this country-civilization, which organically absorbed many traditions and cultures, preserved their originality and uniqueness, while maintaining unity, which is very important, – the unity of the peoples living within it. We are very proud of and greatly value this harmony of identity and common destiny of the peoples of the Russian Federation”. The historical tradition is evidence that the territorial development of Russia over the course of many centuries was carried out with the preservation of indigenous peoples – large and small, their language, and lifestyle. Preserving and supporting the Russian language as the state language of the Russian Federation, and the languages of the peoples of Russia is a priority in the national and educational policies of the state.