Opening the forum, Yelena Yampolskaya read out a message of greetings from Vladimir Putin to the participants. In her address, she informed those present about the work of the Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian Language and Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation, which she heads. She noted that, in the past 12 months, the Council members had convened twice, with Vladimir Putin has also attending their meetings. Multiple instructions were issued following the meetings.
In execution of these instructions, the Fundamentals of State Language Policy of Russia were drafted and approved by Presidential Executive Order of July 11, 2025.
Yelena Yampolskaya also noted that, from September 1, 2026, foreign citizens studying at pedagogical and philology faculties of Russian universities, specifically those majoring in Russian language and literature, will be able to apply for Lyudmila Verbitskaya scholarships. By the end of 2025, a pilot digital platform for foreign university entrants and students is expected to be launched. It will provide information about educational opportunities in Russia, including terms and state support measures.
As per the President’s instruction, work is underway to set up a joint national interagency research and methodology centre for promoting the Russian language worldwide.
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The 17th Russian World Assembly is an annual international forum organised by the Russian World Foundation. This year’s forum involves participants from 105 countries, including academics, educators, cultural workers, public opinion leaders, representatives of state and public organisations, the diplomatic corps, the clergy and the media. Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Mauritius, Cabo Verde, the Seychelle Islands, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin and Sri Lanka are attending the forum for the first time.
The main theme of the 2025 forum is Fundamental Contribution of the Russian World to International Development: History, Modernity, and Future.