The session was moderated by Vadim Glushchenko, Director of the Center for Global IT Cooperation.
Opening the discussion, he noted that international interest in Russia's experience of digital transformation continues to grow.
According to the Center's experience, foreign partners are increasingly interested not in individual IT products but in comprehensive approaches that enable countries to build their own digital ecosystems—from basic infrastructure and cybersecurity to national digital platforms and public services.
The discussion featured:
- Ernesto Rodríguez Hernández, First Deputy Minister of Communications of the Republic of Cuba;
- Andrey Bezrukov, President of the Association for the Export of Technological Sovereignty;
- Dary Khalitov, Deputy President and Member of the Management Board of Rostelecom;
- Kirill Menshov, Senior Vice President of Sberbank;
- Alexey Raykevich, Chief Executive Officer of GLONASS JSC;
- Maksim Filippov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Positive Technologies;
- Pavel Gontarev, Chief Executive Officer of VK Tech;
- Alexey Borodin, Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC);
- Kristina Amor Maclang, Secretary General of the International Digital Economies Association (IDEA).
One of the discussion's central themes was the changing nature of technological development.
Andrey Bezrukov observed that the world is gradually moving toward the emergence of large technological ecosystems in which control over national digital infrastructure becomes one of the defining elements of sovereignty.
Under these conditions, technological alliances among countries seeking to preserve strategic autonomy while developing their own digital capabilities are becoming increasingly important.
This perspective was further developed by representatives of Russia's leading technology companies.
Dary Khalitov emphasized that Russia has successfully established a complete domestic market for system software, including operating systems, virtualization technologies, and mobile platforms.
According to him, the country's greatest export potential lies not in individual products but in comprehensive digital transformation projects.
Kirill Menshov added that future competitiveness will depend not only on technological capabilities themselves but also on proprietary methodologies for deploying them, particularly in the era of rapidly advancing generative artificial intelligence.
The discussion also featured practical examples of international technological cooperation.
Pavel Gontarev shared VK Tech's experience in launching a national cloud service provider in Kazakhstan based on Russian technologies.
Alexey Raykevich presented GLONASS JSC's solutions for autonomous transport, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, demonstrating their potential for deployment in international markets.
Maksim Filippov highlighted the growing international demand for Russian expertise in cybersecurity and for comprehensive projects aimed at protecting critical digital infrastructure.
A separate part of the discussion focused on the increasing interest in digital sovereignty among countries of the Global South.
According to the speakers, partner countries are increasingly looking not for ready-made products but for long-term cooperation that includes knowledge transfer, professional training, technology localization, and the joint development of digital services tailored to national priorities.
The session demonstrated that digital sovereignty has become one of the defining themes of the international technology agenda.
Russian companies already possess substantial practical experience in developing national digital platforms, public services, and infrastructure solutions.
The Center for Global IT Cooperation continues to facilitate cooperation between Russian technology developers and international partners interested in strengthening their own digital capabilities.
The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) took place in St. Petersburg from 3 to 6 June 2026.
Organized by the Roscongress Foundation, SPIEF remains one of the world's leading international platforms for dialogue among governments, businesses, and the expert community.
