Published on: 2026-04-09
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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At the MID Russia reception house, a presentation of the 2026 International Youth Festival was held for representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Moscow.
The event united more than 120 representatives of foreign embassies from 84 countries, as well as international organizations. Among the participants were diplomats from Slovakia, China, Argentina, Qatar, Egypt, the Republic of Korea, Morocco, Libya, Peru, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Indonesia, Nepal, Oman, and other states.
Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the diplomats at the Reception House and personally thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Minister Sergey Lavrov for their great support in organizing events such as the International Youth Festival.
“By the decision of our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, in 2024 the World Youth Festival was held at the hospitable ‘Sirius’ – a place that is a legacy of the best in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. At that time, the festival united 20 thousand young leaders from 190 countries. Last year we successfully held the World Youth Festival gathering in Nizhny Novgorod. The interest is colossal. Today we are preparing to welcome guests in Yekaterinburg, where the infrastructure is a legacy of the Universiade,” he recalled.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the International Youth Festival will bring together more than 10,000 people. Guests can expect a rich and interesting program.
“The organizers have already received more than 60 thousand applications from 175 countries. We see that young professionals, public figures representing various fields—from IT and science to sports and public administration—are ready to come,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.
After the main festival program, a unique regional program on 30 directions will take place, dedicated to the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by President Vladimir Putin.
The Vice Premier emphasized that for those who cannot attend in person, online access to the festival’s program will be provided.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that a special children’s program for kids aged 14 to 17 will be organized. It will provide an opportunity to work on their own initiatives with mentors from more than 60 leading global companies.
Dmitry Chernyshenko thanked the representatives of the diplomatic corps and the leadership of the countries for their assistance in forming national delegations. He noted that such work needs to be carried out as actively as possible.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps of foreign states and international organizations were greeted by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: “We will be sincerely glad to see at the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg representatives from the widest range of countries near and far abroad. Youth from all corners of the Earth sincerely want to be here, to meet their peers, to seek something new for themselves, and perhaps define their further destiny.”The festival’s extensive program of events fully meets the objectives of establishing such friendly contacts, strengthening trust, and fostering mutual understanding. I have no doubt that representatives of different countries, peoples, cultures, civilizations, and religions will be united by what usually brings young people together: the desire to explore new things, discover new interests, and understand what goals you want to achieve in life. I am confident that all festival participants will be united by the aspiration for creative self-realization and harmonious interaction for the benefit of all humanity.The youth will lay the foundations of relationships for the coming years and decades.
The head of Rosmolodezh Grigory Gurov stated that Russia is open to young people from all over the world, ready to support their aspirations and ideas, and to provide tools for self-realization and development.
“In the capital of the Urals, on the border of Europe and Asia, the largest youth event of the year will take place. It will unite representatives of various spheres, confessions, and nationalities from all over the world. 30% of the festival participants are members of the VFM community. 70% are those who have not previously participated in festival events. Importantly, half of the festival program, which will unite more than 150 speakers from Russia and foreign countries, will be dedicated to the image of the future.”Participants discuss the challenges of the coming decades, human capital, technological and demographic changes, and how in the new world to save oneself, one’s humanity, and respect for culture,” noted the head of Rosmolodezh Grigory Gurov.
You can apply to participate in the International Youth Festival until April 30 on the website wyffest.com.
Let us remind you that, in accordance with the directives of the President of Russia regarding the preservation and development of the legacy of the World Festival of Youth, festival events are held annually on the territory of the Russian Federation. In 2025, a meeting of the World Festival of Youth took place in Nizhny Novgorod. The event brought together 2,000 young people from 120 countries around the world. The next World Festival of Youth, with 20,000 participants, will be held in 2030.
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