We are happy that Shenzhen, a city with many young people, students and a lot of innovation, was confirmed as the host city of the International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad for Students in 2024, the year of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Moscow State University is specially honored that the campus of MSU-BIT, the Russian-Chinese university in Shenzhen, was chosen as the main location of the IMO-58—whereas this university was initiated 10 years ago via a joint decision by President Vladimir Putin and Chairman Xi Jinping. Russian-Chinese academic cooperation is of strategic nature meeting vital interests of both countries. Joint MSU-BIT project both demonstrates remarkable quality and growth rate today, and attracts best students from all around the world for they regard it as one of the most excellent universities of the future. I am certain that this Chemistry Olympiad named after Dmitri Mendeleev and held in the year of his 190th anniversary will feature a special value. I am also hopeful that the Russian team will uphold the great tradition of becoming a winner of this international festival and meeting of the young talents in the realm of chemistry.

Moscow State University has been the organizer of the Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad for school students in Russia for almost 60 years. Some generations of chemistry scientists emerged during this period of time who had successfully passed this competitive event. By tradition, our best scientists and university professors participated in creating assignments for the Olympiad competitors. The MSU Faculty of Chemistry has become essentially the headquarter of the national team of young Russian chemists. I am convinced that due to the support of The Andrey Melnichenko Foundation such features will be more distinctly presented this year as transferring fundamental scientific knowledge into industry practices or creating new opportunities for the potential of the young stars of chemical science, to be implemented not only in universities, but also in the economy.

One of the priorities for our activities is to provide support to talented school students and young people in general, all those who live among us anticipating their future achievements. The International Mendeleev Olympiad is a hallmark event featuring a special format as it combines both scientific and creative approach, expands boundaries and helps young chemists from different countries of the world unlock their real potential. There is no doubt that the cooperation between MSU and our Chinese colleagues will guarantee the highest level of success to this event which will be monitored by interested parties all around the world. I would like to wish good luck to all young participants and to extend my gratitude to their teachers and parents. International Mendeleev Olympiad will be supported by a unique media campaign this year as we are especially interested in making this science more interesting and even trendy to all concerned.