The Russian-African Youth Union (RAYU) has been established in Moscow to strengthen cooperation among young people through education, cultural exchanges, and coordinated youth initiatives. The union was launched at MGIMO University on October 28, on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit. Founders of the RAYU emphasized that the organization has no specific political aims and will operate based on voluntary participation, equality of votes and opinions, and mutual respect.
The launch event was attended by Stanislav Surovtsev, MGIMO Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Social Work, and International Relations; Ahmed Wiisichong, Secretary General of the Pan-African Youth Union; and representatives of Russian and African public associations, the public sector, and business. Among the signatories were representatives of Ethiopia, South Africa, and two international organizations headquartered in Morocco. The union aims to strengthen existing ties and coordinate Russian and African youth structures more intensively.
The RAYU's goal is to promote mutual respect and understanding between Russian and African youth, with a focus on concrete joint action based on shared interests. Membership requirements include activity in the youth sphere and participation in at least one RAYU flagship event per year. The union will function as an integral part of the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which operates under the auspices of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The RAYU's immediate plans include holding a congress to elect co-chairs and approve strategic plans. The organization aims to create a single platform to coordinate youth organizations in Russia and Africa, share experience, and pool resources. It also plans to develop educational exchanges and expand opportunities for Russian students to study in African countries.
The meeting concluded with a ceremonial signing of the Founding Act of the Russian-African Youth Union, marking the official establishment of the RAYU. Dmitry Ivanov, General Director of the World Youth Festival Directorate, stressed the importance of maintaining and increasing efforts in international communication between young generations of Africa and Russia. He noted that since 2024, more than 3,000 representatives of African youth have taken part in the series of WYF events.
Ivanov added that the World Youth Festival has strengthened friendly ties with African youth and heads of youth policy in African countries. He emphasized that building long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect is a priority in working with colleagues. The creation of the RAYU moves cooperation in the youth sphere into formats of more intensive, systematic work, Ivanov said.
The World Youth Festival was held in 2024, bringing together 20,000 participants from 190 countries. The festival established a community of young leaders willing to take responsibility for their countries' future. Regular international youth events in Russia aim to preserve the legacy of the World Youth Festival and further develop dialogue among young leaders. Upcoming events include an expert session on the participation of Africans in the International Festival of Youth – 2026.
Key points
- The Russian-African Youth Union aims to promote education, cultural exchanges, and coordinated youth initiatives between Russia and African nations.
- The union will operate based on voluntary participation, equality of votes and opinions, and mutual respect.
- The RAYU plans to create a single platform to coordinate youth organizations in Russia and Africa, share experience, and pool resources.
