At the II International Youth Forum "Generation of Unity," mechanisms for the real participation of young people in global decisions were identified

The opening ceremony of the II International Youth Forum "Generation of Unity" took place on 18 September 2026 at the World Trade Center. The plenary session of the forum became part of the Second World Public Assembly "New World: Values That Unite", taking place in Moscow from 18 to 19 September 2026.

The event brought together young leaders, representatives of youth organizations and cultural figures from different countries of the world. Amid growing international tension, political polarization and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, it is the younger generation, according to the organizers, that possesses significant potential for developing new forms of international interaction and forming a space of trust between societies.

The key topics of discussion were the reasons for the growth of isolated information spaces among young people in different countries, the role of public diplomacy during international crises, and the risks to trust posed by artificial intelligence, deepfakes and algorithmic "information bubbles." Participants also discussed how to make young people's participation in decision-making real rather than symbolic, and what responsibility young leaders are ready to take upon themselves already today.

— It is you, young people, who make us not sleep at night in retirement, think about the feelings with which you enter life and will pass on your values to the next generations of young people around the world, noted Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly Andrey Belyaninov, emphasizing the special role of the younger generation in shaping the future of the planet.

Secretary General of the Arab Peace Group Samir Habashneh, in turn, quoted an Arab proverb: "A nation without youth is like a sea without fish." According to him, the younger generation is destined to go through all the trials of time in order to one day take responsibility for the destinies of peoples and outline the contours of a common future. The world does not become closer on its own — it is brought closer by people who are ready for dialogue and shared responsibility.

After the official part, guests were treated to a colorful concert featuring youth creative ensembles from different corners of the planet. The program opened with the famous song "Along the Petersburg Road," which filled the hall with energy and the vivid color of Russian folk tradition.

The moderators of the forum were:

• Juan González — President of the "Domus" Center for Dialogue and Multipolar Cooperation, Chairman of Colombia's National Preparatory Committee for holding the World Youth Festival;

• Hu Bufang — Deputy Head of the Preparation Department of the Union of Chinese Students and Scholars of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The participants included:

• Sherif Ghali — President of the Ghana Youth Federation

• Sashwat Pandey — youth representative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India, curator of the World Economic Forum;

• Zainab Samer Allaham — representative of the youth affairs department of the Arab Peace Group;

• Pietro Stramezzi — President of the "Friends of Russia" Association.

• Enrique Domínguez — Secretary for Youth Worker Policies of the Central Union of Workers of Brazil

• Yunusjan Ilakhunov — Head of the Youth Association of the Assembly of the People of Kyrgyzstan

• Ekaterina Glebova — Director of the Center for the Development of International Youth Cooperation at RUDN University.

— International dialogue among young leaders is necessary for finding common benchmarks and strengthening a culture of trust, mutual understanding and cooperation, the organizers emphasized, noting that the practical significance of the session lies in the exchange of experience between young diplomats, public leaders, and representatives of education, business and international cooperation.

Based on the results of the plenary session, concrete approaches were outlined to strengthen international dialogue through education, youth mobility and joint projects capable of reducing the level of alienation between countries. The work of the youth forum will continue within the framework of the Assembly with panel discussions and final sessions.

Additional information is on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly and at media@world-assembly.org.