From September 11 to 17, 2026, Ekaterinburg hosted a program for heads and deputy heads of government agencies responsible for national youth policy in foreign countries as part of the International Festival of Youth, implemented under the Youth and Children national project. The program brought together 21 representatives from 20 foreign countries, including heads and deputy heads of youth affairs agencies, as well as other government officials. The participating countries represented Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the CIS.
The guests visited the IFY – 2026 exhibition space, which occupied three pavilions with a total area of 30,000 square meters. They learned about Russia’s achievements presented across seven areas of life. Technological sovereignty was presented as a practical objective pursued by a state choosing its own path of development. The Human Development and Technological Leadership cubes served as central points for reflection.
On September 13, foreign delegations took part in an introductory briefing and the presentation session “Russia’s Youth Policy: An Ecosystem of Opportunities.” Participants were introduced to the Youth and Children national project, the infrastructure of year-round youth educational centers and art clusters, the Region for Youth program, the competition for the title of Youth Capital of Russia, the grant system, the forum campaign, and international cooperation initiatives. Separate presentations were delivered by representatives of the World Youth Festival Directorate, the Russia – Country of Opportunities presidential platform, the Russian Znanie Society, the Movement of the First, DOBRO Association, and the Tavrida Art Cluster.
On September 14, heads of the foreign delegations took part in the open dialogue and pitch session “National Youth Policy Models: Solutions That Work.” Representatives of 12 countries presented their national approaches and practices for developing youth policy ecosystems. Heads of youth policy authorities from Russian regions also joined the discussion. The plenary session “Youth Policy in a Changing World: From National Priorities to International Cooperation” focused on digital transformation, new models of employment and education, and international processes.
On September 15, the delegations took part in an off-site program in the Sverdlovsk Region. They visited the Center for Artistic and Aesthetic Gymnastics, met with Sverdlovsk Region Governor Denis Pasler, visited the Domna creative cluster, the Karavella multi-age youth group, the Quantorium children’s technopark in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, and the UGMK Museum Complex, including the pavilion featuring the Buran space shuttle.
Several international meetings and events were held on the sidelines of the IFY – 2026, including the 16th meeting of the Subcommission on Cooperation in Youth Policy of the Russian-Chinese Commission on Humanitarian Cooperation; the panel session “The Union State of Belarus and Russia: Opportunities for Young People”; a meeting between First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko and young people from the Republic of Abkhazia; and the signing of an Agreement on Cooperation in Youth and Sports between Abkhazia and the Donetsk People’s Republic. Russia and Iran also agreed to work on a joint action plan. Rosmolodezh leadership held talks with representatives of the United Arab Emirates, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Algeria, Tanzania, Myanmar, and other countries. Myanmar expressed interest in Russia’s experience of working with young people in the regions and the legal framework for youth policy; Tanzania – in artificial intelligence, youth grants, and educational center programs; India – in education in Russia and projects with Dobro.rf; while China and Laos expressed interest in the activities of the International Association of Children’s Organizations.
A total of 25 bilateral meetings were held as part of the program. The Festival served as an expert platform where countries compared approaches to working with young people and agreed on joint steps. In several areas, agreements were reached to establish long-term cooperation.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival was held from March 1 to 7, 2024, in Sirius pursuant to a decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It brought together 20,000 participants from 190 countries and established a community of young leaders willing to take responsibility for the future of their countries.
To preserve the legacy of the World Youth Festival 2024 and further develop dialogue among young leaders, international youth events in Russia are held on a regular basis. In 2025, Nizhny Novgorod hosted the World Youth Festival Assembly, bringing together 2,000 participants from 120 countries. In 2026, Ekaterinburg hosted the International Festival of Youth, which brought together 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries.
The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a community of young people committed to the future of the world.