YEKATERINBURG, September 17 – RIA "Dagestan". The Republic of Dagestan sent a 37-member delegation comprising students, young scientists, activists and representatives of creative communities to the International Youth Festival, which took place in Yekaterinburg on September 11 - 17. According to the regional Youth Affairs Ministry, the large-scale event successfully gathered representatives of 164 nations to discuss pressing global youth agendas.
On the sidelines of the festival, Acting Minister Kamil Saidov engaged in productive negotiations with international counterparts from Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates to establish joint youth exchange programs and collaborative projects.
During a meeting with the regional delegation, the acting minister urged participants to actively network with international attendees, promote the republic's heritage and extend invitations for them to visit Dagestan. He also emphasized the importance of engaging in the festival's substantive educational tracks, specifically highlighting sessions on national youth policy models and Russia's ecosystem of opportunities for young people.
Throughout the week, the "Ekaterinburg-Expo" International Exhibition Center served as the primary hub for approximately 650 diverse educational, cultural, sports, and entertainment events. The expansive program was structured across seven thematic areas, offering participants a wide array of lectures, practical workshops, creative laboratories and athletic activities.
The festival's closing ceremony featured a spectacular showcase involving more than a thousand artists and culminated in a symbolic round dance displaying the flags of 191 nations. Reflecting on the experience, participant Rasul Magomedov shared that he formed meaningful connections with young leaders from Africa, Latin America and Asia. He noted that despite their diverse backgrounds, engaging in lively debates and shared laughter revealed a unifying desire among the youth to develop themselves and improve the world.
Magomedov expressed strong confidence that the international friendships and professional contacts established during the event would eventually evolve into tangible, collaborative projects.