First day of the International Press Centre and Russia–Africa Media Forum concludes at the National Centre RUSSIA
The first day of operations at the International Press Centre for the Eighth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and the Third Russia–Africa Summit has come to an end at the National Centre RUSSIA. The Press Centre will remain open until 30 October inclusive. The National Centre is also hosting the Russia–Africa Media Forum, one of the key events of the summit of the same name.
On the first day, representatives of African countries took part in the TASS
session "Developing Cooperation in the Modern Era: New Platforms and
Formats for Interaction", featuring heads of news agencies from Algeria,
Seychelles, Guinea, Niger and Tunisia. RT also held a session with chief
editors of African television channels and media regulators, discussing how
African media portray the continent. At the Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today)
International News Agency session "Rectors' Dialogue: Journalism as a
Bridge for Cooperation between Russia and Africa in Education",
participants discussed strengthening professional ties between universities.
Throughout the day, Russian and African media companies also signed a number of
cooperation agreements and memoranda, including with TASS, RT and Rossiya
Segodnya.
International guests spoke warmly of the National Centre RUSSIA, which served
as a shared venue for the International Press Centre for the two summits and
the Russia–Africa Media Forum.
"The National Centre looks very modern, and it is so enormous that I think
it can accommodate any event. Honestly, it is amazing — truly world-class. I am
also impressed by Russia itself: the streets are very clean and safe, the
buildings are beautiful, the food is good and the people are wonderful. I am
genuinely amazed by you. You are incredible, and I am very happy to be
here," said Saber Boukhari from Morocco, a food and travel content
creator.
Basant Mohamed Abdelrahim Ahmed Abdelrahim, a journalist with Al Ghad television channel from Egypt, added: "The media centre is very well organised, and the National Centre building itself is excellent — large and modern. I am sure we will do great work here."
One of the day's highlights was the participation of international guests in
adding to the collective "Nevalyashki" ("Roly-Poly Dolls")
art installation. They wrote their signatures and messages of encouragement on
colourful toys, making them part of a unified installation comprising dozens of
similar nevalyashka dolls. The idea for the installation originated at the
National Centre RUSSIA stand during the International Festival of Youth — 2026
in Yekaterinburg. After the festival, the artwork, created with contributions
from guests representing 103 countries, was brought to Moscow as part of the
festival's legacy and became a permanent feature of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Representatives of African media and descendants of prominent leaders from across the continent joined the initiative. They included Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Gamal Khaled Gamal Abdel Nasser, grandson of Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Millard Ayo, a popular blogger from Tanzania, founder of several news websites and host of the Amplifier show on Clouds FM radio, said that signing a nevalyashka had given him a unique opportunity to represent his country and its culture at the National Centre RUSSIA.
"I am glad that, when I return home, I will know that one of the nevalyashka dolls I inscribed here represents my country and its culture at the National Centre RUSSIA, while also symbolising cooperation between Russia and Tanzania," said Millard Ayo.
Foreign journalists and distinguished guests also had the opportunity to visit the interactive "Journey Across Russia" exposition. In 90 minutes, visitors can travel from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad and discover the achievements, innovative developments, and cultural, natural and historical landmarks of all the country's federal districts.
On Tuesday, 27 October, the Press Centre's work and the Media Forum programme
will continue. At 10:00, the autonomous non-profit organisation
"Russia–Africa" will be presented, followed by the signing of
agreements between Russian media outlets and international media companies. At
11:00, African journalists will meet with Maria Zakharova, Official
Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the afternoon, RT will host a session with African celebrities and bloggers
with millions of followers entitled "Land of Opportunity: How African
Stars Are Shaping Continental Identity", as well as a session with
television channel chief editors and media regulators. At 16:00, Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA,
will speak about the venue's core mission and the unique project to construct
its new building. She will introduce international journalists to the Centre's
original projects and share plans for its future development.
The nevalyashka doll is one of the most recognisable symbols of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Foreign journalists and bloggers from Africa who visited the National Centre RUSSIA for the first time were impressed by the venue's beauty, scale and atmosphere
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