Plenary session of ASI forum Strong Ideas for a New Time

Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives' forum, Strong Ideas for a New Time.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, good afternoon,

I welcome all the participants of the Strong Ideas for a New Time forum, which is being held in the old and majestic city of Nizhny Novgorod. This is a special place for all of Russia and one of our country's largest industrial, business, scientific, cultural, and spiritual centres. Throughout its history, the people of Nizhny Novgorod have shown that they can solve complex challenges together, working for the good of the Fatherland and, when necessary, rising to its defence.

We all remember the glorious chapters of Russian history associated with Nizhny Novgorod and the heroic deeds of many generations of its residents. One of the first events that comes to mind is 1611, when the Second People's Militia was formed here and went on to liberate Moscow from the invaders.

These traditions of civic engagement and vibrant public initiative fit perfectly with the spirit of our forum. It brings together active and creative people who love Russia and believe in it.

Before our meeting, my colleagues presented several of the ideas put forward at the forum. They address some of the areas of greatest importance for our country, including space exploration and development, improving the quality of services at paramedic and obstetric stations, primary healthcare, measures to support families with children, and creating new opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential.

I would like to underscore that comprehensive instructions will be issued to the Government, ministries and agencies regarding these and other significant projects. Such proposals are intended to become an integral part of the overall national development agenda. It is in this manner, consistent with our established tradition, that we organise the work of our forum.

I should note that the Agency for Strategic Initiatives had the key role in creating this important platform. The agency was established in August 2011, precisely 15 years ago. Once again, I extend my congratulations to the entire team of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, and to those who were present at its inception, on this important milestone. I thank you for your work, for your bold vision, and for your strategic scope in the fullest sense.

Your ideas must serve as a truly constructive response to the challenges of this new era. We are building our future for generations to come, building it together in the interests of strengthening our sovereignty, and we are working to secure the present and future of Russia through our practical efforts to enhance the well-being of our citizens. Russia is strong and will remain strong in the years ahead.

The contribution of each and every one - volunteers, employees of non-profit organisations and social institutions, managers, engineers, workers and, naturally, entrepreneurs - is vital to our shared success and to the steady and successful development of the country. In this connection, I ask the agency to propose additional incentives for business investment in social, educational, and awareness-raising initiatives, in the development of schools and outpatient facilities, in the creation of sports and youth infrastructure, and in other areas upon which the quality of life of our people directly depends.

It is the individual, the Russian family, and their hopes and aspirations, that must stand at the centre of all our programmes, initiatives, and decisions. The ASI team has consistently championed this fundamental principle, promoting it both at the federal level and in the regions of the Russian Federation, and working closely with the Government and the constituent entities of the Federation.

I would further note that your ideas and projects facilitate the creation of new points of growth for individual industries and entire territories, for the constituent entities of the Federation, and serve to build mutually beneficial partnerships with other countries that are showing increasing interest in our advanced practices and the best Russian experience.

I looked through the materials before entering this hall. Proposals came not only from all Russian regions, but also from 30 foreign countries, including countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and other parts of the world.

The world develops more harmoniously today, when there is a broad exchange of knowledge and ideas. And thanks, in part, to the work of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, we have a wealth of such proposals. Over the past 15 years, the Agency, together with its partners and like-minded colleagues, has developed a whole range of effective, in-demand, and, importantly, systemic solutions. These also include Russian regions' practices and experience in demographic policy and family support, as well as mechanisms for territorial competition for entrepreneurial and creative talent, particularly young people, and initiatives promoting the principles of corporate social responsibility. They also include cutting-edge developments in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and distributed energy - the very areas in which our colleagues from the National Technology Initiative are working.

I would like to stress that the very idea of the National Technology Initiative was born within the Agency for Strategic Initiatives.

These solutions are already being implemented, benefiting people and Russia as a whole, and are being applied both in our country and abroad. Our common goal is to ensure their widespread adoption in everyday life and across all areas, including strengthening the resilience and security of infrastructure, developing remote territories, advancing our space exploration programmes, and much more.

Friends,

Russian scientists, designers, and engineers have always thought outside the box and ahead of their time. In 1896, 130 years ago, here in Nizhny Novgorod, at the All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition, on site of which we are now, the inventions of Alexander Popov, Vladimir Shukhov, and other outstanding Russian innovators were presented.

I cannot resist recalling the words of Dmitri Mendeleev, who spoke at the time about the importance of such an exhibition: "Visiting our exhibition means learning, studying, analysing, and thinking, rather than simply walking around, observing, and relaxing. At every turn, you encounter something new, something unexpected, something instructive, something unique, and often something truly ahead of its time." These words are particularly relevant today. Just now, our colleagues presented their achievements at the exhibition and, in fact, spoke about their own innovative work - about technologies and solutions that our competitors do not yet have.

And today, again, at the confluence of the Oka and Volga Rivers, bold projects that will influence Russia's development for decades to come are being discussed.

We need to make our entire nation - from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok - proud of and use the products and technologies made in our country, in Russia. I also mean that a long-term demand for domestic products should be created and a comprehensive system to support innovations should be built.

The ability to forecast the future and understand which competences are needed for shaping it has always been a strong point and distinctive feature of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Way back in 2014, you presented the Atlas of New Professions, which included drone operators and gene editing specialists. At present, these and many other competencies are not just in demand, but determine the competitiveness of the state as a whole.

Of course, I know about your plans to make another step forward and look beyond the horizon of the coming decades, specifically, to prepare a new version of the atlas containing civil as well as military competences of the future. To my mind, the task is very ambitious and innovative. Such a forecast is to set a vector for the entire system of personnel training and, which is also important, take due account of the combat experience accumulated by our soldiers and officers in developing military, civilian and related technologies, to provide possible areas of employment and self-fulfillment in peaceful life for our veterans, for our guys.

The responsibility of the state and society is to make sure that every veteran of the special military operation could go on serving the Fatherland, but now in the economy, administration and social domain. Employees of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives include participants in the Time of Heroes programme, combat officers. I want to wish them success in their new field of endeavour. I believe that they will be real examples for your like-minded team members and enhance the potential of the entire Agency's team.

I wish them success and productive work. Thank you.

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