The World Youth Festival Directorate and the TASS Russian News Agency signed a partnership agreement at the TASS headquarters in Moscow on June 15. The document formalizes cooperation between the parties before and during the International Festival of Youth 2026, which will take place in Ekaterinburg from September 11 to 17, 2026.

Under the agreement, TASS has been granted the General Media Partner status for the Festival. The partnership provides for extensive media coverage of the Festival, the creation of joint multimedia content, the production of special reports, interviews, documentary projects, and live broadcasts, as well as the organization of joint discussions, educational events, and workshops.

“Cooperation with TASS is of particular importance to us, as for many decades the agency has remained one of the principal and most authoritative sources of information about developments in Russia for millions of people both in our country and abroad. Through this partnership, we will be able to not only cover the preparation and holding of the International Festival of Youth but also introduce a broad audience to the stories of its participants, international youth projects, and educational and humanitarian initiatives. I am confident that our joint efforts will significantly expand the Festival’s media reach and strengthen international youth dialogue,” said Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

As part of the partnership, the parties also agreed that representatives of TASS and the World Youth Festival Directorate will participate in joint projects as experts and speakers, exchange analytical information, and develop special media formats dedicated to the International Festival of Youth.

“TASS is delighted to participate in covering the Festival. We also want to contribute to strengthening international youth cooperation. We want TASS to become a platform for young people, and we want the Festival to become a platform where we can discover and share stories with the entire world in the way we know best. Today, TASS is Russia's most cited media organization worldwide,” said Andrey Kondrashov, Director General of TASS.

The International Festival of Youth will take place in Ekaterinburg from September 11 to 17, 2026. The largest international youth event of the year will bring together 10,000 Russian and international participants, including representatives of youth communities, opinion leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes, and cultural figures from 190 countries.

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.