Dmitry Chernyshenko at the 16th UN Internet Governance Forum
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke, via videoconference, at the high-level plenary
session “Investing in digital growth and enabling capacities – transnational
and transcontinental synergies” of the 16th UN Internet Governance Forum
(IGF), held in Poland
on 6-10 December.
The event’s main theme is Internet United: an open and
free internet that unites all users in one community.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,
International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, and Prime Minister of
Poland Mateusz Morawiecki also addressed the plenary session.
“In Russia,
the digital technologies sector is developing rapidly. President Vladimir Putin
adopted a national goal: digital transformation. We have one of the strongest
educational, scientific and engineering schools. The IT industry is represented
by tens of thousands of companies and hundreds of thousands of specialists.
Software exports from Russia
are only growing; they have risen almost 20 percent compared with last year. In
addition, Russia
has built a powerful system to encourage the IT industry. Packages of gradually
adopted measures aimed at developing the industry are being implemented. For
example, about four billion roubles are being allocated annually as grants to
support IT projects and companies introducing digital solutions,” Dmitry
Chernyshenko said. He noted that the pandemic became a driver of digital
transformation and influenced the development of the digital economy. People
started to use digital and online services more often. Mr Chernyshenko also
noted that the further growth and development of IT solutions and the digital
economy would be impossible without global cooperation, decision synergy, and,
most importantly, without the development of an international legal framework.
The Deputy Prime Minister focused on introducing
artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the economy. He believes that
regulatory barriers preventing AI penetration should be lifted. Russia has been
working towards this end for a long time.
“The issue of ethical regulation in the field of AI is
relevant for the entire world. People are Russia’s main priority, and AI
should work for the good of society. Russia has developed the Artificial
Intelligence Code of Ethics, signed by leading companies, universities and
foundations. It envisages the basic principles of AI implementation:
transparency, truthfulness, responsibility, reliability, inclusivity, impartiality,
security and confidentiality. I would also like to note the importance of
harmonising international legislation in the field of regulating the global internet
and the activities of technology companies. It is necessary to develop common
approaches towards protecting personal
data on a global scale in order to maintain the balance of rights and
responsibilities of all parties in the digital environment. In this context, we
note with interest the UN Secretary-General’s recent initiative to develop a
Global Digital Agreement. Russia
is open for a dialogue with all interested states, companies and expert
communities,” Dmitry Chernyshenko said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also added that the 20th
UN IGF in 2025 would take place in Russia. Official confirmation of
the host country status has already been received from UN representatives.
“Choosing Russia as the venue to host the 20th
forum is a great honour for us and evidence that our country’s strong positions
in the field of the development of the information society and digital
technologies are recognised. We intend to ensure the broad involvement of all
the interested parties in the forum’s work. At the same time, we want practical
solutions that ensure the openness and security of the internet, while taking
into account the interests of all stakeholders in the online space, to be the
practical results of the forum,” Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasised.
In conclusion, Mr Chernyshenko wished all the forum
participants a constructive dialogue and fruitful work.
