Moscow, September 17, 2026: a new stage in the history of MDR
The IV Congress of the International Russophile Movement was held in Moscow from September 16 to 18, 2026. Its main solemn plenary session was held on September 17 at the Victory Museum on Poklonnaya Gora.
Several hundred people from more than 50 countries took part in the Congress and its numerous events. The opening ceremony was attended by Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
In his speech, the Minister, in particular, emphasized Russia’s openness to dialogue and international cooperation based on equality, balance of interests and mutually beneficial projects.
This year’s congress was one that opens up new perspectives. The work of the Congress focused on several key areas:
– The international development of the IRM and the strengthening of its national structures;
– Russian language and culture as the most important instruments of dialogue between peoples;
– The creation of the Institute for the Study and Support of Russophilia, designed, in particular, to give a scientific and academic dimension to the study of the phenomenon of Russophilia;
– Youth policy, including the holding of the Russophile Youth Forum and the desire to provide new generations with an increasingly significant place in the life of the Movement;
– People’s diplomacy through the development of contacts between public organizations, intellectuals, scientists, university representatives, cultural and artistic figures, and civil society;
– Understanding the future of the IRM in order to gradually transform our international network into an even more structured, active organization capable of implementing specific projects.
Africa is at the center of our activities
The presence of African delegations has become one of the important elements of this Congress.
Africa and Russia are linked by a long history of human, educational, university and cultural relations. Generations of Africans studied at Soviet and Russian universities and today they are living bridges between our two spaces.
The IRM should further contribute to the preservation and popularization of this heritage, as well as open up new perspectives in such areas as education, the Russian language, culture, youth policy, scientific research, economics and tourism. Senegal will continue to contribute to this dynamic.
A new responsibility
The Fourth Congress leaves us with an important message: Being a Russophile doesn’t just mean loving Russia; it also means building bridges between nations.
Today, our responsibility is to strengthen and develop these ties in our countries through specific projects, education, culture, youth work and dialogue.
The congress is over. But the work is just beginning.
On behalf of the IRM Executive Bureau, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Russian authorities, the organizers of the Congress, the foreign delegations, the participants who spoke, and all the members of the Movement who contributed to the success of this great international meeting.
Together we will continue our activities in the name of friendship between peoples, dialogue of cultures and peace.
-Dr. Souleymane Anta Ndiaye
Chairman of the Executive Bureau
The International Russophile Movement (MDR)
Moscow, September 2026