On March 3, a session titled “International Eco-Community – Creating the Future Together” was held as part of the World Youth Festival with support from Rosatom.
During the session, participants discussed which areas of international collaboration in the field of ecology are the most promising, how to form expert communities, how to engage young people in environmental initiatives, and how to develop new sustainable projects. The outcome of the session was the launch announcement of the international ecology club “Ecosystem” which will aim to facilitate experience exchange between eco-leaders from different countries, organise educational events and conferences, as well as incorporate best practice sharing. Key Russian experts and young eco-leaders who have already implemented a large number of international initiatives attended the event.
Director General of Rosatom International Network Vadim Titov discussed Rosatom’s strategic approach to the development of the environmental agenda in terms of technology development and support for environmental initiatives.
“Combating climate change and reducing the negative impact on the environment is impossible without two key factors – technology development and the support of a culture of cooperation. By developing nuclear power plant construction projects around the world Rosatom helps to incorporate a clean energy source into the national energy mix of our partner countries, as well as implement various social and environmental projects together with local communities,” he said.
Alexandra Ryabykh, Co-Chair of “Ecosystem”, All-Russian Environmental Movement, moderated the session. She noted that green diplomacy is becoming one of the key tools in the development of international relations, as the goal to preserve biodiversity, terrestrial and marine ecosystems concerns everyone.
“It is the young generation that determines what our future will be, and as a representative of the all-Russian environmental movement, I can state that the sustainable agenda is becoming more and more popular both in Russia and in our partner countries overseas,” she said.
Alexander Plakida, Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Network of the UN Global Compact, noted that the goal of achieving sustainable development remains one of the most significant for modern society. Businesses, government, and the expert community should put maximum effort to achieve it, and the key to completing such an ambitious task lies in partnership and constructive dialogue.
The importance of engaging youth in the environmental agenda was the topic Oleg Makarov, Advisor to the Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, also spoke about. He highlighted that events like the World Youth Festival serve as an important catalyst for developing international collaboration and shaping a new system of values. Festival partners, organizers, and participants made a significant contribution to making this event environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Thus, forum participants have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Declaration of Commitment to the Principles of Environmental Lifestyle, developed as part of the initiative of the Ecosystem movement in partnership with the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, sign it and join the community. Over 150 participants have already signed the Declaration. Representing the forefront of youth and ecological leaders, Alexander Kormishin, Chairman of the BRICS Youth Energy Agency, and Zongsu Xie, a member Rosatom’s Director General Youth Advisory Council and a researcher at the Institute of Digital Economy and Artificial Systems, delivered speeches.
Alexander Kormishin noted that the development of the BRICS Youth Energy Agency is a vivid example of how systemic collaboration between youth leaders brings real results in the energy dialogue between the association’s countries, supports the development and sharing of successful youth practices, and promotes a shared vision on the international stage. Zongsu Xie discussed the unique and promising field he is involved in as part of his professional activities, highlighting how digital solutions can address global environmental challenges.
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The World Youth Festival is held in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, aiming to develop international youth collaboration. It will be attended by 20 thousand young leaders in education, science, international cooperation, culture, volunteering and charity, sports, business, media, including 10 thousand foreign participants. For the first time, teenagers will also be able to take part in the festival (as part of the track of the All-Russian Movement of Children and Youth “Movement of the First”).
The State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom is a diversified holding company that combines assets in power engineering, machine building, and construction. Its strategy focuses on the development of low-carbon generation, including wind energy. Rosatom is the national leader in electricity generation (about 20% of total generation) and holds the world’s largest portfolio of nuclear power plant construction orders: 33 power units in 10 countries are at various stages of implementation.
One of the priorities of the President of the Russian Federation and specialized agencies is to improve the environmental situation in the country. Rosatom participates in projects aimed at eliminating environmental damage, consistently implementing steps towards transitioning to a green economy. The corporation is modernizing equipment that ensures the production of clean energy and annually carries out a set of environmental protection measures.
