The two-day event in Nizhny Novgorod has brought together international delegates to address new challenges and opportunities

Russia hosted its first Global Digital Forum this week, gathering government officials, business leaders, and international experts to discuss artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and technological cooperation.

The two-day event, which kicked off on Thursday in Nizhny Novgorod - one of the country's main IT hubs - was part of the annual 'Digitalization of Industrial Russia' conference. Organizers said the forum drew thousands of participants from more than 100 countries.

"It is impossible to talk about any kind of isolation of Russia on the international stage," Dmitry Starostin, deputy chairman of Nizhny Novgorod Region, told RT on the sidelines of the forum, noting that all the global regions were represented.

"We are seeing a good turnout from African states, Asian and Latin American countries, as well as Europe," he said.

According to Starostin, it is "crucial that most countries" share Russia's approaches to digitalization and the spread of IT worldwide.

The event featured exhibitions, workshops, cultural events and sessions on AI, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty and equal access to digital tools.

Attendees took part in high-level discussions with industry leaders and policymakers, sharing best practices and insights into shaping the global digital agenda. More than 100 agreements, memoranda and IT contracts were signed during the event.

"Russia has extensive experience in ensuring digital sovereignty," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, adding that it makes cooperation particularly relevant for developing countries striving to overcome the "digital divide" with the West.

(RT.com)