Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov opened the meeting of the Presidium of the Council by outlining the key trends in the state ethnic policy over the past year and describing the current situation in interethnic relations.
It was noted that the country is entering a new phase with the adoption of the new State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2036.
The Government of the Russian Federation, regional authorities, and local self-government bodies are tasked to promptly complete the preparation of specific action plans for its implementation in 2026–2028, taking into account the current situation, objectives, and challenges.
The main item on the agenda of the Presidium meeting was the Council’s participation in the 2026 Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, announced by President Vladimir Putin at the Russia National Centre on February 5. This is the Council’s most important initiative, which holds strategic significance for the country’s further progress and the strengthening of the Russian nation. Reports were heard on the participation of the Council’s organisations in the Year’s events, followed by a substantive discussion.
Further on, the members of the Council Presidium considered the issue of scientific support for the implementation of the state national policy of the Russian Federation. The Scientific Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Complex Problems of Ethnicity and Interethnic Relations is expected to play a key role in this regard. A Co-Chair of the Council, member of the Academy of Sciences Valery Tishkov, provided an update on the organisation of this work in the current year.
In addition, pursuant to the President’s instructions following meetings of the Council for Interethnic Relations, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Russian Academy of Sciences have been assigned specific tasks to develop and implement a programme of scientific research dedicated to studying the ethnocultural diversity of Russian society and strengthening еру Russian national identity, as well as a comprehensive Programme of Scientific Research related to the multidisciplinary ethnographic study of the state-forming Russian people. Relevant reports were heard.
During the meeting, the Presidium approved the new composition of the Council’s commissions. The importance of actively involving representatives of regional and municipal authorities, public associations, and the scientific and expert community in their work was emphasised.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a decision was made to launch the 2026 competition for the Russia President’s Prize for Contributions to Strengthening the Unity of the Russian Nation.
Following the meeting, relevant decisions were adopted.