On April 7, 2009 the "Expocentre" at Krasnaya Presnya hosted an anniversary grand meeting devoted to quindecennial of the national domain RU.

IIS representatives – Tatiana Ershova, Director General, and Michael Yakushev, Head of Directorate of Legal Programs, - participated in the meeting, which gathered leading representatives of Russian Internet communities.

The main goal of the event conducted under support of the Ministry of Communications and Media of RF was to demonstrate achievements in the field after fifteen years of existence of the Russian Internet.

Coordination Centre of .RU Domain acted as organizer of anniversary celebrations associated with RUnet’s Birthday. Regional Center of Internet Technologies (ROCIT) and Internet Development Foundation acted as co-organizers.

The session as opened by Igor Shchogolev, the Minister of Communications and Media of RF. Reporting on rate of development of the national domain he emphasized that in 2008 the number of RUnet users increased on 15 million and became 50 million users, and .RU zone entered the triumvirate of leaders based on number of registered domains. Touching on the themes of RUnet’s difficulties Mr. Shchogolev reminded that his department supported the initiative of field community on having a Year of Secure Internet in Russia.   

In the end of the session a solemn presentation of letters of awards to RUnet’s "veterans" took place.

Further discussion of .RU domain’s main achievements (with more attention to scientific and practical issues) is suggested to be held in the course of spring Joint Conference "RIF+CIB" between 22-24 April 2009 ("Lesnye Dali" recreation center).