III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" opens at the National Centre RUSSIA with more than 8,000 guests from 109 countries
The III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" opened on 12 November at the National Centre RUSSIA. It is one of the key events in the global ecosystem of the Open Dialogue "The Future of the World. A New Platform for Global Growth", established on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The large-scale two-day programme has brought together more than 8,000 participants from 109 countries to develop positive scenarios for the future together, discuss innovative ideas and share their experience of working with experts across disciplines.
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, welcomed the participants, organisers and guests of the Symposium.
"A new series of discussions begins today as part of the Open Dialogue 'The Future of the World. A New Platform for Global Growth'. The first event in this major project will be the III International Symposium 'Inventing the Future', which is part of the Open Dialogue ecosystem. I welcome the participants of the Symposium to the National Centre RUSSIA. The Open Dialogue brings together people who are ready to put forward bold, unconventional ideas and solutions. It is a place where joint projects take shape and promising business contacts are made. It is particularly important that proposals put forward at your previous meetings are already being put into practice," noted the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
The head of state emphasised the Symposium's high international standing and expressed confidence that the event would be constructive and that the recommendations drawn up during the meetings and discussions would benefit all peoples by advancing progress and security.
"The Symposium has brought together representatives of business and the creative industries, scientists and experts from Russia and more than 100 other countries, including BRICS, CIS and SCO member countries. In wide-ranging, substantive discussions, you will explore in depth the key trends and paths for development in the global economy, science and the social sphere, and exchange views on current challenges and risks. I am confident that the meeting will be held in a constructive atmosphere and that the participants' recommendations will benefit our peoples and serve the interests of security and progress," the message reads.
At the official opening, Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, announced that applications had opened for the third Open Dialogue. He invited authors from different countries to share their views on the future of humanity and stressed that any entry could be the focus of discussion.
"We are opening applications for the third season, the third cycle of the Open Dialogue. We invite authors from different professions, countries and cultures to share their views on the future of humanity. In the new cycle, we will focus on people in a new world. We encourage authors to focus on four themes — 'Human Development', 'Health Management', 'Life Around Us' and 'Content in a New Era'. These themes show how people will live in the new technological world taking shape around us. As always, the most compelling ideas will form the basis of a new report at the end of the cycle. I want to stress that everyone is welcome to take part. Any submission could be at the heart of the agenda. As always, we look forward to welcoming the authors of the strongest and most interesting entries here in Moscow in April to discuss the results," noted Maxim Oreshkin.
He also announced that the cycle would continue with the January Expert Meetings in Manzherok, Altai, in early 2027. "As usual, we will hold the January Expert Dialogues. This year, they will be held in Manzherok, in the Republic of Altai. There, we will hold a strategic discussion about how the economy, technology and society will change in the near future. This is another important part of the Open Dialogue series. The Dialogue takes many forms. The 'Inventing the Future' Symposium, which is being held here in Moscow today, is part of the global Open Dialogue ecosystem. We want to hear from everyone, and we want experts and specialists from around the world to speak directly to one another as peers. We are pleased to provide a platform for these discussions."
Maxim Oreshkin said that this important part of the global Open Dialogue ecosystem had grown steadily and strengthened its position over the past two years. This season's essay contest received more than 1,600 entries in 20 languages from 100 countries, and 102 authors from 43 countries travelled to Moscow to take part in the discussions in person. He said the main achievement behind those figures was bringing together like-minded people for an open discussion about how the global economy is being reshaped and how technology is transforming society.
The III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is an original project of the National Centre RUSSIA and is being held on 12–13 November 2026. The event is organised on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, as part of the Decade of Science and Technology. It is part of the ecosystem of the Open Dialogue "The Future of the World. A New Platform for Global Growth", which the National Centre RUSSIA also runs on the instructions of the head of state, Vladimir Putin.
This year, the Symposium has brought together more than 8,000 statespeople, scientists and researchers, heads of corporations and business alliances, representatives of the creative industries and public organisations, and young professionals from 109 countries. The programme is organised around three thematic tracks — "Human and Values", "Progress" and "Culture and the Arts". The main focus is on networking and building connections, as well as expanding the range of creative formats and formats for young people.
The January Expert Meetings will continue the international discussion on global trends.
The presentation session "Values of the Future: From Definition to Actualisation" was one of the key events in the "Human and Values" track.
The most compelling essays by authors from different countries will form the basis of the forthcoming expert report.
