On April 2, 2025, the V Youth Digital Forum (Youth RIGF 2025) was held at the National Center 'Russia', becoming a key platform for discussing digital transformation, internet governance and innovative technologies. The event brought together students, young professionals and leading IT industry experts. The forum's general sponsor was VK, which traditionally supports initiatives aimed at developing digital technologies and Russia's internet ecosystem.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation D.N. Chernyshenko addressed the Forum participants with a welcome speech. He noted that it is up to the new generation of young talented specialists to decide what the Internet of the future will be like. This, in turn, will serve to achieve Russia's technological sovereignty - a goal set before us by our President V.V. Putin.
More than 400 people participated in the Forum offline, and thousands of viewers joined online, highlighting the growing interest of young people in internet development and digital technologies.
During the forum's opening, there was also an award ceremony for the Alliance for Children's Protection in the Digital Environment's 'For Safe Digital Childhood' prize, recognizing projects aimed at improving digital literacy and creating a safe online environment for children.
Vadim Glushchenko, Director of the Center for Global IT Cooperation, noted: "Our forum is part of the UN's digital cooperation ecosystem, so the issues we are discussing today largely overlap with topics concerning youth worldwide. Russia, as a technologically advanced country, has digital solutions that we can share with our like-minded partners. That is why on June 5-6 in Nizhny Novgorod, the first-ever Global Digital Forum will be held, bringing together hundreds of experts from around the world for an equal dialogue about our common digital future."
Traditionally, as part of the Forum, the Youth Digital Ombudsman and the Center for Global IT Cooperation presented the annual 'Digitalization for Good' award. The award aims to identify and support young people (including IT specialists) who have made special contributions to protecting rights, clarifying duties, and citizen responsibilities in the digital space; and improving digital literacy levels.