Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan, participated in the third Caspian Digital Forum, which drew a record 1,300 attendees. The forum served as a platform for experts to present initiatives aimed at shaping digital future of the republic and the wider Caspian macro-region. A key focus was the practical application of digital technologies. In one significant proposal, a working group comprising space technology manufacturers put forward a plan to establish Dagestan as a pilot region for the implementation of remote sensing technologies.

Logistics Without Paper: Streamlining the North-South Route

Separate attention at the forum was dedicated to the digitalization of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The key proposal is to implement end-to-end electronic document management to eliminate the "bottleneck" of paper documentation at checkpoints. A breakthrough has already been made in this direction: Iran has offered Russia to be the first country for a pilot project on the mutual recognition of electronic signatures. Additionally, the "GLONASS" company has actively joined the development of the corridor's digital infrastructure.

From Marketplaces to "Smart" Ecology

Melikov also emphasized the need to digitalize the operations of marketplaces in the republic and to attract new personnel for this purpose. Dagestan State University will assist in addressing this task. Another significant announcement was the imminent launch of a large Ozon warehouse complex in the region. In the sphere of ecology, an initiative to create a comprehensive monitoring system based on "digital twins" was endorsed. This will enable more informed management decisions to preserve the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea.

Outcomes and Prospects

A resolution will be adopted based on the forum's outcomes, setting development vectors for the coming years. The Head of Dagestan expressed confidence that the formulated initiatives will form the basis of concrete roadmaps.
In conclusion, the Head of the region awarded the winners of youth tournaments—in drone racing, phygital football and competitive programming—wishing them further success.