The scale and extent of ICT in Russia are considerable, but not well-known outside of the country. Russia has 76 million Internet users and an e-commerce turnover of $13 billion a year. The country's e-government performance has already reached the European Union average, despite the challenges of a large population and vast geography. And its ICT industry boasts world-leading brands in the IT sector, fuelled by over 60,000 graduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics each year.
Organized by the World Bank Group, in cooperation with the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, Russia ICT Day is an international knowledge-sharing forum that will provide a platform for dialogue between Russian government executives and the global ICT expert community. High-level panel discussions will focus on topics, such as e-government, use of cloud technologies in the public sector, IT industry development, universal access to broadband, and IT skills development. The forum will provide participants with an overview of Russia's most promising ICT initiatives and an opportunity to exchange knowledge about the implementation of successful ICT projects and effective ICT policies worldwide.
Led by Federal Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation Hon. Nikolai Nikiforov, with participation of 30 top Russian government IT executives, the forum will consist of a range of sessions about the development of a world-class ICT infrastructure in Russia, successful e-government projects, and Russia's strategy to support further development of a competitive ICT industry.
Agenda | Speakers List | Webcast
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Welcome Statement: Nikolai Nikiforov, Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation
Dear Colleagues!
The development of information and communication technologies has rapidly and fundamentally changed modern society, the ways of doing business, and government practices. Adopting new approaches in data management, network infrastructure development, and information security, while maintaining information sovereignty, poses a challenge for any global player. Russia keeps abreast of global trends in ICT and reacts to sweeping changes by actively developing e-government, cloud computing, and open data.
The Forum will present a unique opportunity to benchmark Russia’s ICT development vis-à-vis other states. A series of ICT topics ranging from information society to IT industry development will be discussed by the Russian government delegates, leading ICT experts representing international organizations, government, and private sector. Another notable feature of the Forum is the networking opportunities it will provide for its participants and guests.
Joined by my colleagues from Russia’s federal and regional government, I look forward to a stimulating and rewarding discussion!