KHANTY-MANSIYSK, Russia – The XV International IT Forum, hosted under Russia’s 2024 BRICS chairmanship, has drawn delegations from dozens of nations to discuss interstate digital cooperation and technological advancements.
In his opening address, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted Russia’s initiative to create a global intergovernmental register of contact points in May 2024, aimed at facilitating communication between authorities in the event of cyberattacks. A similar mechanism is in development for the BRICS framework.
The forum’s plenary discussion, “Trust in the Digital World,” focused on interstate cooperation in the digital age, including the creation of digital platforms across key economic sectors.
Angola’s Ambassador to Russia, Augusto da Silva Cunha, emphasized the multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Angola, spanning mining, energy, agriculture, education, and space exploration. He highlighted the successful launch of the Angosat-2 satellite and future plans for joint training in the space industry.
Iranian Deputy ICT Minister Meysam Abedi identified promising areas for collaboration within BRICS, including IT, innovation, artificial intelligence, blockchain development, and humanitarian exchanges focused on education and the digitalization of industry.
The forum’s business programme also featured sessions on digital economy cooperation guidelines, neuro(in)networks, and a panel discussion on “New technologies in the media industry: technological development of the industry and new media content.” This discussion, part of the BRICS GLOBAL MEDIA TOUR, saw participation from media managers from BRICS and other countries, including Daily News Egypt.
Moderated by TV BRICS CEO Janna Tolstikova, the panel explored the integration of modern technologies like artificial intelligence into media production, new work formats, and the media’s role in fostering international partnerships in science and digitalisation.
Daily News Egypt’s Executive Editor, Mohamed Samir Khedr, expressed enthusiasm for the forum’s focus on AI and the valuable knowledge exchange among participants. He noted that “AI is revolutionizing media production across the entire value chain,” and highlighted the potential for BRICS nations to benefit from AI adoption due to their growing media industries and technological capabilities.
Other participants echoed the sentiment of knowledge sharing and collaboration. Ding Deqi, Deputy Bureau Chief of Xinhua News Agency’s Eurasian Regional Bureau in Moscow, emphasized the value of diverse perspectives in building a multipolar world, while Bui Duy Trinh, Head of the Vietnam News Agency representative office in Russia, noted the importance of cooperation skills learned from Russia’s cultural diversity.
The International IT Forum, held annually in Khanty-Mansiysk since 2008, featured over 50 events this year, drawing over 3,000 participants from 47 countries and 61 regions of Russia.
