On April 14, a presentation of the International Festival of Youth – 2026, organized as part of the national project “Youth and Children,” took place at the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University (formerly the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute) in the Uzbek capital. The event brought together about 300 physics students—future nuclear scientists, engineers, and researchers.. The program of the largest international youth event was presented by Vakhtang Khiklandze, Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate. He emphasized the special role of young people in maintaining friendship and mutually beneficial partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan.
“The World Youth Festival Directorate places great emphasis on developing cooperation between young people in Russia and Uzbekistan—one of our country’s key partners in Central Asia. We strive to actively involve citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Russian educational and youth initiatives. The youth of Uzbekistan have traditionally shown a keen interest in our projects, remaining a constant source of energy and enthusiasm. The numbers speak volumes about this interest: today, Uzbekistan ranks among the leaders in terms of the number of applications for the International Festival of Youth 2026. More than 1,700 residents of the Republic have expressed their desire to join the Festival. We look forward to welcoming our friends to the Festival so that, together with participants from around the world, we can engage in a global dialogue and shape the contours of our shared future,” noted Vakhtang Khiklandze, Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
A major international youth event will take place from September 11 to 17 in Ekaterinburg—a city on the border between Europe and Asia and one of Russia’s largest economic, scientific, and cultural centers. The event is expected to bring together 10,000 participants from 190 countries: 5,000 international guests and 5,000 Russian citizens.
Participants can look forward to a rich program covering nine different areas.
The Team-Building program track will help Festival guests meet and get to know one another better; it is designed around networking and team-building activities to bring together guests from different countries.
More than 50 formats within the Knowledge track will help participants discuss global issues and learn new insights from world-renowned experts. Over 150 Russian and international experts—including scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, and artists from the world of culture and the arts—will speak at various venues for Festival participants.
Festival guests can also look forward to more than 50 Youth in Culture, Sports, and Good Deeds tracks events—ranging from large-scale concerts featuring artists from around the world to theater performances and film screenings, and from group workouts to master classes led by renowned athletes. As part of the Good Deeds track, every participant will be able to join a volunteer campaign or social initiative—to help nature and people right here and now.
As part of the Excursion track, young people from different countries will learn about the historical, natural, and cultural heritage of Ekaterinburg. A highlight will be the Exhibition track (expo), showcasing the potential of science, industry, and culture of Russia and its regions.
After conclusion of the main program in Ekaterinburg, 1,000 young people from abroad will have the opportunity to participate in a regional program—a tour of 30 regions of Russia and the Republic of Abkhazia. The guests will spend several days in one region—visiting landmarks, learning about the natural and technological potential, interacting with local residents, and experiencing Russian daily life. The program is timed to coincide with the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, as declared by the country. Participants will see how representatives of hundreds of ethnic groups—each with their own language, traditions, and culture—live and interact within a single country, building a shared future while preserving the continuity of generations and respecting the spiritual development of different peoples.
To date, the organizers have received over 60,000 applications from 175 countries, including more than 1,700 from Uzbekistan. A distinctive feature of this year’s Festival will be the field-based approach to forming delegations—the Festival will welcome leading representatives from media, the creative industries, science and education, sports, public administration, entrepreneurship, digitalization, and IT. Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of assignments and proven achievements of each participant.
For those unable to attend the Festival in person, a Media track will be available, providing digital access to key Festival events.
Applications to participate in the Festival can be submitted until April 30 at wyffest.com
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 at “Sirius”, 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 accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod in 2025 and brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will gather 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030.
The World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation and developing a community of young people who care about the future of the world.