On September 13, 2026, the opening of ceremony of the International Youth Festival took place at the Yekaterinburg-EXPO Congress and Exhibition Center in Yekaterinburg. Oleg Bartsits, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia participated in the event.

The Republic of Abkhazia’s delegation to the International Youth Festival also includes Taras Khagba, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for Youth Affairs and Sports; Maya Tsybulevskaya, Deputy Prime Minister; and Daur Kove, Minister of Culture.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President addressed the festival participants and guests via video message. In his address, the Russian head of state emphasized the importance of international youth cooperation and called on young people to jointly shape a future based on the principles of equality, the right of nations to choose their own path of development, and equal access to modern technologies, education, and scientific and cultural achievements.

More than 10 000 representatives from 191 countries attended the opening of ceremony. The Republic of Abkhazia is represented at the festival by a delegation of approximately 200 young people.

This year, the Republic of Abkhazia has been included in the itinerary of the International Youth Festival’s regional program. From September 17 to 21, 2026, Abkhazia will host delegations of international festival participants for study visits aimed at fostering of international contacts, expanding of youth cooperation, and strengthening of friendly ties among representatives from various countries.