The Virtual Business Lab “Energy Megaprojects. Technology. Ecology. Human Resources” took place on 16 July – 3 August 2026. This is the educational and qualifying stage of the Youth Day of St. Petersburg International Gas Forum. The Youth Day project is being implemented by UNECON in cooperation with Gazprom and ExpoForum, and with the support of partner companies.
In total, almost 400 applications for participation in the Youth Day were received in 2026 from representatives of 50+ universities from 20 countries. Of these, 211 candidates passed the entrance test and began training in the Virtual Business Lab.
Leading experts from Gazprom, Gazprom Neft, Severstal Management, Comita Digital Technologies held discussions on the current development of the energy field, including energy diplomacy and features of the gas industry development, green transformation and climate challenges, gas industry digitalization, career planning in the energy industry. The Virtual Business Lab program was coordinated by the Academic Director of the Youth Day Natalia Sarakhanova who also gave a lecture on the global energy landscape and gas megaprojects. Participants were also greeted by the Director of the Youth Day, Vice-Rector for International Relations of UNECON Dmitry Vasilenko.
During the training, participants completed individual tasks as well. They were dedicated to the systemic analysis of energy megaprojects and finding the balance in case of the conflict of interests. Following the Virtual Business Lab, 52 students with the best results received an invitation to the Youth Day in the framework of St. Petersburg International Gas Forum which will take place in April 2027 (more about SPIGF postponement: https://gas-forum.ru/en/news/xv-jubilejnyj-peterburgskij-mezhdunarodnyj-gazovyj-forum-projdet/). An additional session on the art of networking will be held for them to ensure the most effective participation in the forum.
