Maria Zakharova: "The 'Inventing the Future' Symposium was initiated as a response to global issues and the challenges of modern times"

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On 2 October, Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department and Official Spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the programme of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future", which will take place on 7–8 October in Moscow at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event will bring together more than 7,000 participants from 76 countries, with over 200 Russian and foreign speakers. Experts from China, the United States, Italy, Latin American countries, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa will share their views. The Symposium is held under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

At a briefing ahead of the Symposium, Maria Zakharova stressed that this event was initiated as a response to the pressing issues and challenges of modern times that concern the citizens of Russia and the majority of countries worldwide in various spheres of public and political life.

"In Russia, which actively promotes a multipolar world order, strengthens its sovereignty and traditional spiritual and moral values, many countries find a counterbalance to the dominance of neoliberal pseudo-values that undermine national sovereignty and erode the centuries-old, even millennia-old foundations of great civilisations. This explains the unprecedented interest in international events held in our country, where various aspects of the future world order are discussed, with traditional values, as always, at the core. I am confident that the Symposium will foster dialogue and expert discussion on issues relevant to the future of all humanity. The upcoming event will be a meeting of like-minded people, those who, through joint efforts, strive to build a fairer future — one that depends on young people, on active, open-minded, educated individuals eager to learn," said Maria Zakharova.

Maria Zakharova also noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, participated at the first Symposium, which took place in 2024, and this year the large-scale international event will once again feature representatives of the Russian MFA. For instance, at the panel discussions "Russia and Africa in 2063", "AI Without Borders: Integration as a Driver of Success in Inventing the Future", and "The Evolution of Public Diplomacy: From Traditional Communication to Digital Storytelling", the speakers will include Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the MFA of Russia, Anna Abramova, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Centre of MGIMO University of the MFA of Russia, and other experts.

A true battle of ideas will unfold at the session "Protocol or Creativity? The Great Debate of Diplomats". Its participants will include both experienced and young diplomats. Among them are Alexander Alimov, Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations of the MFA of Russia, Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department for Economic Cooperation of the MFA of Russia, and others.

In addition, there will be a discussion titled "Design Today — Future Tomorrow", where participants will explore the design code of the future. The moderator will be Yelena Mironenko, cultural expert, lecturer at MGIMO and the Diplomatic Academy of the MFA of Russia, and Director General of the ATOM Museum Foundation for Scientific, Educational and Communication Initiatives.

Overall, about 50 events are scheduled as part of the Symposium. The rich expert programme is divided into three tracks — "Society", "Technology" and "Global Cooperation", focusing on the transformation of society, relevant technological innovations, and the vectors of humanitarian interaction in a multipolar world. Participants will discuss trends in shaping public spaces, visual codes, and universal values that define the contours of the future, taking into account contemporary technological and humanitarian discoveries and concepts.

Events of the open programme will also feature prominently. Multidisciplinary lectures, debates, case studies and other formats are designed to bring together experts and the wider public in the process of envisioning the future. Topics will include strategic forecasting, design and art as tools for shaping the environment.

The central event will be an open lecture with the participation of well-known Russian and international visionaries, scientists, designers and representatives of the creative industries. Experts will describe a day in the life of a person of the future, offering ideas of what housing, transport, leisure, food and much more might look like.

For visitors, online registration is required via the link.

The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organised on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The analytical partner is the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM). The literary partner is Eksmo Publishing House.