Summary by the Chairperson
of the XII St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum
From 24 to 26 September 2026, St. Petersburg hosted the XII St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum (hereafter – "the Forum"). The event's theme was "United Cultures, Common Values". The Forum's plenary session was addressed by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
Cultural figures, heads of key agencies from various countries, and representatives of international organizations exchanged views on some of the most important issues concerning the development of the cultural landscape. The participants agreed that cultures united by shared values are capable of overcoming any obstacles. The international guests noted that Russia organized the Forum at a high level with a professional approach that harmoniously blended with the hospitality, openness, and warmth of the Russian soul, as President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin emphasized in his address.
The participants of the XII St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum reaffirmed their commitment to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.
They expressed their support for universal and regional formats of equitable interaction to strengthen intercultural dialogue.
In the light of the 2026 Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the forum participants took note of the experience in implementing policies to support cultural diversity and preserve the ethno-cultural heritage of each of the peoples of our country, based on respect for shared traditional values. In particular, measures were noted to introduce native language learning programmes in educational institutions, support national media and publishing activities, and fund cultural projects and events designed to promote the traditions of the peoples of Russia.
The participants emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Forum's participating countries, as it remains a source of inspiration for successive generations for achieving new levels of artistic and professional excellence.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to develop progressive inter-agency cooperation in order to promote cultural exchanges between countries on a broad range of issues, with the understanding that in today’s world, humanitarian cooperation must not be hindered by artificial and politicised barriers.
Support was expressed for efforts to improve educational approaches in creative fields while respecting the cultural traditions and specifics of countries and regions.
There was notable interest in the discussion about reconciling technological progress with cultural sovereignty and devising ethical guidelines to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. Emphasis was placed on promoting a human-centric approach to AI development, ensuring free access for countries worldwide to the latest technologies on the basis of respect for sovereign equality and nondiscriminatory access to resources, and preventing "digital colonialism". The participants noted the need to grant governments the prerogative to define an international legal framework for regulating artificial intelligence.
As new media continue to evolve, the participants particularly emphasised the importance of following responsible practices and ethical standards in the media.
Heads of foreign official delegations and representatives of international organisations noted the significant contribution of Russian culture to the world's cultural heritage. They expressed their readiness to continue relevant discussions at other prominent international platforms.
The Chairperson of the Forum thanked the participants for enriching the debate on the most pressing issues on the cultural agenda.