Briefing on Roscongress Foundation’s key international projects for autumn and winter 2026 held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A briefing devoted to the Roscongress Foundation’s major international projects for autumn and winter 2026 was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The event was organized for foreign diplomats accredited in Moscow. The briefing was opened by Alexander Pankin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, who emphasized the strategic importance of leading Russian platforms for developing equitable and mutually beneficial dialogue and international cooperation. Representatives of the Roscongress Foundation gave presentations during the event.

The first event presented at the briefing was the 11th Eastern Economic Forum, to be held from 1 to 4 September in Vladivostok at Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island. The central theme of EEF 2026 is “The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People”.

“Over eleven years, the Eastern Economic Forum has become an international platform operating in the context of global economic change. The shift of business activity towards the Asia-Pacific is an objective global trend, and so the EEF’s agenda remains relevant and in demand. Importantly, the decisions taken here are already being translated into real projects and are helping to improve the quality of life in the macro-region. This year, as is traditional, the Forum will bring together leading representatives of Russian business, government authorities, and our foreign partners. The EEF creates every condition for direct dialogue between them and for identifying new areas of cooperation in the interests of developing the Far East and Russia as a whole,” noted Igor Pavlov, First Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Eastern Economic Forum.

According to Pavlov, EEF 2026 will host more than 70 business events organized into five thematic tracks, along with business dialogues involving representatives of China, India, Mongolia, Vietnam, and the ASEAN countries. The programme includes the Day of the Future EEF International Youth Day, the Far East Street exhibition, the Creative Industries Forum, the SME Forum, and the Falcon Day International Forum. In addition, the EEF Sport Games and the Vladivostok Seasons festival will take place.

Particular attention at the briefing was given to the 9th Russian Energy Week International Forum and to the International Municipal Forum.

The Russian Energy Week 2026 business programme and exhibition will take place from 14 to 16 October. The Manege Central Exhibition Hall will host the strategic agenda, with the participation of government representatives, heads of energy companies, and foreign delegations, while Gostiny Dvor will host a multi-industry Exhibition of Equipment and Technologies for the Fuel and Energy Sector.

“Russian Energy Week is a platform for dialogue between representatives of government, business, and the engineering, technical, and scientific communities. Importantly, the decisions taken at the Forum help shape the development of the fuel and energy sector, ensuring technological sovereignty, economic growth, and a stronger position for Russia on global markets,” emphasized Vladimir Zatynayko, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of Russian Energy Week. Members of the diplomatic corps were also invited to encourage energy companies and business representatives in their countries to take part in the Forum.

The International Municipal Forum was granted the status of an annual federal event by a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on 29 December 2025. The Forum will be held from 23 to 24 November at the Russia National Centre. Its central event will be the plenary session “Sustainable Urban Transformation: Responding to Global Challenges”. The programme of IMF 2026 will include specialized conferences, agreement-signing ceremonies, cultural and sporting events, and visits to clusters and urban infrastructure facilities in Moscow.

“Municipal diplomacy requires not only joint efforts, but also the development of concrete strategies aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of modern urban development. The IMF was created to accelerate the implementation of projects, so that an agreement signed today becomes the foundation of a new infrastructure facility tomorrow,” noted Vladimir Zatynayko, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation.

The business programme will cover social development, the environment, transport, integrated territorial development, information technology, artificial intelligence, investment, and culture. Particular attention will be given to sharing experience and developing joint solutions for the sustainable development of infrastructure in major cities and municipalities, the creation of a comfortable urban environment, and the training of municipal teams to adopt the best global practices. As part of the IMF, the 6th International Forum of Low-Carbon Cities will be held under the auspices of the United Nations.

The briefing also highlighted forthcoming events in St. Petersburg. The 12th St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum will be held from 24 to 26 September under the theme “United Cultures, Common Values”. More than 2,500 participants are expected. The business programme will bring together more than 50 events across 10 thematic areas, with particular attention given to developing international humanitarian cooperation and strengthening interstate ties.

Another major event taking place in St. Petersburg for the first time this year will be the 6th Young Scientists Congress. It will be held from 2 to 4 December at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Congress will bring together young scientists, leading universities and research organizations, and representatives of knowledge-intensive business and government. The focus will be on the achievements and promising developments of Russian science, the development of the country’s scientific and technological potential, and the opportunities offered by modern research infrastructure.

“The St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum and the Young Scientists Congress address an important common goal: they create opportunities for direct international dialogue and the development of long-term cooperation. The United Cultures Forum helps strengthen humanitarian ties and cultural interaction, while the Young Scientists Congress helps build professional contacts between researchers and shape joint research projects. It is important to us that these events become international hubs bringing together representatives of different countries and deliver concrete results in the form of new connections and joint initiatives,” noted Alexey Valkov, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum and the Young Scientists Congress.