The Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi visited Russia from August 17-19 to attend the Terra Scientia International Youth Forum where he spoke as a special guest encouraging Russian and international youth to play an active role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During this visit, the Secretary-General’s Envoy met with Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Presidential Envoy of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation and Ambassador-at-large at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with Pospelov Sergey, Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. The discussions focused on Russia’s plans to host the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi in 2017. Mr. Shvydkoy presented the Russian Federation’s plans to hold the festival and expressed Russia’s commitment to gathering students and youth from around the world.

Ahmad Alhendawi (center) with Mr. Shvydkoy (right) and Mr. Sergey (left).

Ahmad Alhendawi (center) with Mr. Shvydkoy (right) and Mr. Sergey (left).

The Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth congratulated the Russian Federation for the plan to host the festival and expressed the UN’s willingness to cooperate on the major event. Mr. Alhendawi indicated that the UN will discuss in the coming months how it can best contribute to the success of the Festival. During the visit, the Envoy also delivered a master class to participants at the Terra Scientia Forum, an international gathering of young people from Russia and around the world taking place on the Klyazma River until August 28. The Envoy discussed the role of youth-led organizations in promoting peace and achieving the SDGs. It is important that youth-led organizations and civil society are empowered, he said, in order for them to play an active role in the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.   

Youth Envoy Visits Russia and Attends Terra Scientia Youth Forum in Klyazma