An open dialogue with Denis Manturov was held at the National Centre RUSSIA

On December 24, the National Centre RUSSIA became the venue for the open dialogue "100 Questions About the Future of Russia," featuring Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Russia, responsible for national technological leadership projects. The discussion was moderated by Russian journalist, radio and television host Vladimir Solovyov.

During the dialogue, participants discussed the country's achievements in technology, reflected on how new industries and the implementation of advanced ideas will improve lives, and explored Russia's plans to ensure technological independence.

Denis Manturov highlighted the country's high level of development in the construction of nuclear vessels and civilian shipbuilding, including for the needs of the Far North. The First Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that Russia is among the top three leaders in energy engineering and that domestic manufacturers now hold a 60% share of the oil and gas market, with continued growth. He also emphasized Russia's significant achievements in the field of pharmaceuticals in recent years.

"Let us recall the recent COVID-19 pandemic: our industry performed exceptionally well in producing vaccines and other medicines that were essential for the population to overcome the pandemic. This demonstrates that we have already reached a level of production of biotechnological and other pharmaceutical products that are not only competitive domestically but also supplied globally," stated Denis Manturov. 

Denis Manturov also highlighted achievements in ensuring the transport mobility of the country's population amid unprecedented sanctions.

"The national project 'Industrial Support for Transport Mobility' will drive the development of the aviation and shipbuilding industries, transport engineering, and the production of electric and hybrid vehicles in the coming years. For instance, regarding the ambitious goal of high-speed railways, the first high-speed trains will appear in the country by 2028, and by 2030, 30 train sets will already be delivered for the high-speed railway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg," noted Denis Manturov.

He also stated that one of the most relevant areas of technological leadership is the development of unmanned aerial systems, with the primary goal being a fivefold increase in production and achieving 70% independence by 2030.

"At the same time, the key task of the state will be to create infrastructure and establish regulations. For understandable reasons, we currently do not grant flight permissions in more than half of the regions, and only after the conclusion of the Special Military Operation will we gradually open up airspace for the unhindered movement of unmanned vehicles," noted the Deputy Prime Minister.

Denis Manturov added that the country is steadily advancing across all areas related to ensuring national security and technological independence, without aiming for total import substitution. 

"We are advancing across nearly all sectors of the manufacturing industry, but at the same time, we are tasked with ensuring national security and technological sovereignty — but only in areas where national security demands it. Here, we have no compromises; we must meet the standards required by our armed forces and other sectors of the economy that necessitate 100% technological sovereignty," emphasized Denis Manturov.

The Deputy Prime Minister also addressed the perceived dependence of the country on the West, which continues to impose sanctions.

"The West observes: will they survive or not, will they manage or not. I just don’t understand the purpose of this. We will still find a way out, we will find a solution, create a product, and develop a technology. But by then, we won’t need the West anymore. We’d rather cooperate with the Global South," he noted.

During the open dialogue, Chairman of the Board of the Skolkovo Foundation Sergei Perov stated that by the end of 2024, the Foundation had fully reimbursed the federal budget for the project’s implementation costs, which amounted to 197 billion rubles since funding began in 2010.

Sergei Perov noted that over 15 years, the innovation centre has brought together 4,500 startups within its ecosystem and helped create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country.

"We have always been a startup factory. Now, we are expanding with a new important direction called the 'Factory of Technological Leaders.' Our goal by 2030 is to cultivate at least 20 technological leaders who will play a significant role not only in the Russian market but also internationally," stated Sergei Perov.

The meeting also addressed issues of technological leadership, prospects for cooperation with international partners, challenges in transforming ideas into tangible developments, the development of biotechnology in the food industry, creating favorable conditions for technological startups, and the role of artificial intelligence and digitalization in advancing technologies. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, Denis Manturov answered the traditional question of the open dialogues at the National Centre RUSSIA: how does he envision the country in 2030? "Proud, powerful, strong," he succinctly summarized.

The series of open dialogues, "100 Questions About the Future of Russia," at the National Centre RUSSIA is dedicated to the national development goals of the country through 2030 and with a perspective up to 2036. Participants include representatives of federal executive authorities of the Russian Federation, regional speakers, members of the business community, public organizations and associations, and experts in various fields.

Questions about the future of the country can be submitted through a special section on the website of the National Centre RUSSIA. Answers to some of them will be featured during broadcasts. Stay tuned for live streams on the website.

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow. The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.