The World Youth Development Forum took place in Wuhan, China, from June 14 to 17. The event has brought together more than 500 representatives of UN agencies, international youth organizations, and young leaders from over 120 countries. The Russian delegation includes representatives of youth organizations and associations. Among them are Artem Fomin, First Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, and Tatiana Grebneva, Deputy Head of the Department for Cooperation with Government Authorities, Non-Profit Organizations, and Digital Transformation at the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh).

Artem Fomin, First Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, spoke at the roundtable discussion “Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind,” dedicated to international cooperation, the role of youth in shaping the future, and the development of global dialogue. He emphasized that international youth cooperation remains one of Russia’s key priorities, stating that creating opportunities for the development and self-realization of young people is central to the country’s youth policy.

“Russia sees youth as one of the key priorities of its national development. Today, around 37 million young people live in our country, and our task is to ensure that each of them has the opportunity to reach their full potential, receive quality education, benefit from mentorship, and bring their ideas to life. We believe that international youth cooperation should be built on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and open dialogue. That is why Russia remains open to young people from around the world who are ready to work together to build a future based on trust, responsibility, and a commitment to development. The World Youth Festival 2024 and the WYF Assembly 2025 have already demonstrated the strong demand for international dialogue among young people. The next step will be the International Festival of Youth in Ekaterinburg, which will bring together 10,000 participants from 190 countries. Today’s young people are ready for open dialogue, prepared to take responsibility for the future, and eager to work together to build a more just and multipolar world,” said Artem Fomin.

A series of bilateral meetings were held during the forum to promote international youth cooperation and prepare for the International Festival of Youth 2026, organized as part of the Youth and Children national project.

During a meeting with Mohd Izzat Afifi, President of the Malaysian Youth Council, the parties discussed the participation of a Russian delegation in the PATA Travel Mart. This Asia-Pacific international tourism exhibition is scheduled for August 18–20 and will showcase leading Russian youth tourism projects. Representatives of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office also confirmed their interest in participating in the IFY – 2026.

During talks with Muhammad Junaid Rauf, Head of Digital Media of the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the parties discussed the participation of a Pakistani delegation and distinguished guests in the IFY – 2026. The forum also hosted a meeting with Dong Xia, Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation, during which the Chinese delegation reaffirmed its interest in participating in the Festival.

In addition, meetings were held with delegations from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to discuss their countries’ participation in the IFY – 2026. The discussions involved Mirzobek Kuldoshov, Executive Director of the State Targeted Fund for Youth Entrepreneurship Development under the Youth Affairs Agency, and Bakdaulet Zhandildayev, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Youth Congress.

Overview:

The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.

In line with the Russian President’s instructions to preserve and further develop the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across the Russian Federation. In 2025, the World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will welcome 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will take place in 2030.

The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a global community of young people committed to shaping a better future.