Media Forum for Russian-Language Media Held in Istanbul

The Media Forum for Russian-language media representatives took place in Istanbul from September 25 to 28, 2024. The event served as a major international platform for exchanging ideas and experiences in the fields of media and information technology. The Forum was organized by the Department for External Economic and International Relations (DEEIR) of Moscow, the House of Compatriots of Moscow, and the Moscow Center for International Cooperation.

At the official opening on September 26, welcoming remarks were delivered by Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of DEEIR; Andrey Buravov, Consul General of Russia in Istanbul; Alexander Sotnichenko, Head of the Russian House in Ankara; and other dignitaries.

In his address, Sergey Cheremin emphasized the importance of fostering a constructive information environment for the Russian Federation. “This forum offers an opportunity to convey an objective picture of today’s Moscow—how advanced the city is, and how sanctions impact its economy. This is especially critical as the number of platforms for disseminating unbiased information is shrinking,” he said.

He noted that Moscow ranks among the world’s top ten urban agglomerations, with a gross regional product of approximately $330 billion. Despite large-scale development programs in transport, construction, healthcare, and education, the city maintains a zero public debt. Over the past few years, Moscow’s budget has nearly doubled, and industrial output has grown by almost 80%, driven by targeted support measures. High-growth sectors include electrical equipment manufacturing, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, space technology, automotive production, nanotechnology, and microelectronics. Moscow is home to three of Russia’s largest innovation clusters and over 50 technoparks, ranking second globally in technopark count after Beijing.

Cheremin also highlighted Moscow’s high investment appeal. “We provide foreign investors with the same benefits as domestic companies, making the city attractive despite sanctions imposed by unfriendly nations,” he noted. Direct foreign investment in Moscow’s economy remains significant, totaling about $250 billion, with Turkish companies accounting for $2 billion. “Moscow is one of Turkey’s key economic partners, with bilateral trade reaching $27 billion,” he added.

Sustainable development, he noted, is integrated into all of Moscow’s government programs. The city was the first in Russia to issue green bonds aimed at developing electric transport and urban revitalization. Nearly 50% of Moscow’s territory is covered by green spaces.

Moscow is also leading in electric transport development, operating Europe’s largest fleet of electric buses—around 2,000 units—and having launched electric river vessels last year. Since 2010, 112 new metro stations have been built, including the new Big Circle Line. By 2030, 95% of Moscow’s residents are expected to live within walking distance of a metro station.

The Minister highlighted the city’s pioneering role in implementing digital technologies, especially in urban transport management. Moscow’s intelligent transport system includes biometric fare payment—unmatched by any other global metropolis. The city also operates an integrated video surveillance and incident monitoring system with over 240,000 cameras.

Among its digital innovations, Moscow has developed a unique digital twin of the city. Digital tools are actively used in healthcare and education management. Another major initiative is the Moscow Electronic School, one of the world’s largest educational platforms, integrating digital diaries, gradebooks, and a library with over 1.6 million educational resources. Moscow is also a global leader in online public service delivery, with 420 services currently accessible, all supported by a highly functional Digital Government framework.

Consul General Andrey Buravov also addressed the forum participants, noting the broad geographic representation from Russia, Europe, Asia, and Africa. “Russian-language media abroad play a vital role in unifying the Russian world, preserving and promoting the Russian language and culture, and defending our shared historical memory in the face of aggressive anti-Russian propaganda,” he stated. He emphasized that the forum, hosted in Istanbul—a city of growing bilateral interest—offers not only a space for dialogue but also an opportunity for professional development through lectures, roundtables, and panel discussions.

On September 26, the presentation “How Moscow’s Leading Media Outlet Works” was held. Dmitry Grachev, General Producer of Moscow 24, detailed the operations of the Moscow Media holding, which includes Moskva 24, Moscow Doverie, Moscow FM, and the Moscow City News Agency. He discussed building emotional engagement with audiences and the evolving landscape of digital journalism.

Galina Monastyryova, President of the public organization Moscow and Muscovites and member of the Council on Nationalities under the Government of Moscow, moderated the panel discussion “In the Footsteps of Gilyarovsky: Promoting Moscow’s History and Culture in the Media.” The discussion centered on how cultural and historical heritage is portrayed in media. Vasily Shchipkov, PhD in Philosophy and Associate Professor at MGIMO’s Department of International Journalism, delivered a lecture on Editorial Policy in the Context of a Diverse Target Audience.

On September 27, a roundtable moderated by Dmitry Kozhaev, Director of the House of Compatriots of Moscow, took place. He outlined Moscow’s support initiatives for compatriots and Russian-language media abroad. Participants discussed the unique challenges facing Russian-language outlets in various countries and explored new opportunities for collaboration with Moscow.