About the Forum

St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF)

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a unique event in the world of business and economics. SPIEF has been held since 1997, and since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation, who has also attended each event.

Over the last 24 years, the Forum has become a leading global platform for members of the business community to meet and discuss the key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole.

The 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is set to take place on 5–8 June 2024.

 

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Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation

“Such major events and forums truly unite and bring people from different countries closer. The ability to meet in person and work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust is, in many respects, what is key to pushing business projects and initiatives forward, and with it, the global economy.

Russia will facilitate these meetings to the greatest extent possible, and similarly facilitate the sharing of experience and the demonstration of groundbreaking accomplishments in science and technology.”

SPIEF 2021 plenary session

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar

“[Today’s unprecedented challenges] only serve to increase the importance of the Forum, which has become a key international economic event. It also serves as an example for the international community with regard to advancing initiatives capable of fostering an environment conducive to regional and global economic growth, increased investment, and developing effecting solutions to shared economic issues.”

SPIEF 2021 plenary session

Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil 2019–2022

“The St. Petersburg Forum is a kind of geopolitical and geo-economic sounding board for the whole of Eurasia, a strategically important region which is constantly developing and finds itself at the epicentre of major transformations in today’s world.”

SPIEF 2021 plenary session

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

“First, I would like to thank President Putin for giving me the opportunity to attend such an important Forum in St. Petersburg. President Putin’s hometown is a very beautiful place, and its people are very hospitable.”

SPIEF 2017 plenary session

Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China

“Since its inception in 1997, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has continued to develop and strengthen, growing to become a unique platform facilitating a broad range of discussions in the interests of cooperation. This year’s forum in St. Petersburg is being held under the theme ‘Creating a Sustainable Development Agenda’, which addresses the concerns of the international community and is of great importance.”

SPIEF 2019 plenary session

Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chairperson of the African Union in 2021

“First of all, I would like to thank the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, for involving Africa through the Democratic Republic of Congo in this most important forum, aimed at promoting dialogue on global economic challenges. […] The world we live in is increasingly becoming akin to a unified global village. For the last 16 months, humanity has been united in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. This experience shows that we can only move forward through combined efforts. Humanity is expecting joint efforts from world leaders in the fight against political, socio-economic and public health challenges.”

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN)

“St. Petersburg has witnessed many of the seminal events of the 20th century. And today, the St. Petersburg Forum espouses a 21st century truth – that global challenges require global solutions. No one country or organization can succeed alone. We need political leaders, scientists, philanthropists, and civil society to come together to tackle common threats and pursue shared objectives.”

SPIEF 2019 plenary session

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

“Over a quarter of a century, the St. Petersburg forum has earned its status as an authoritative expert platform and has taken its rightful place among the world’s leading discussion venues… I am confident that this authoritative discussion platform, which brings together top-level experts, has huge potential in identifying productive ideas to normalize the international situation and bring positive trends back to the global economy.”

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt

“Since its first session in 1997, the Forum has grown to become an important venue for the business community and a prominent economic event facilitating the discussion of key issues facing emerging markets and the rest of the world.”

Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of Algeria

“This Forum is a significant and high-profile event throughout the entire world, and its role is now increasing in view of the multiplying and accumulating challenges many countries are dealing with. These challenges require the coordinated efforts of the entire international community to find solutions to the problems facing humankind."

1997–2002

Milos Zeman
President of the Czech Republic

Alexander Lukashenko
President of the Republic of Belarus

2003–2008

Dmitry Medvedev
President of the Russian Federation 2008–2012

Vladimir Putin
President of Russian Federation

Ilham Aliyev
President of Azerbaijan

Kurman Bakiev
President of Kyrgyzstan

Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov
President of Turkmenistan

Vladimir Voronin
President of Moldova

Islam Karimov
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Alexander Lukashenko
President of the Republic of Belarus

Nursultan Nazarbayev
President of Kazakhstan

Emomali Rahmon
President of Tajikistan

Robert Kocharyan
President of Armenia

Mikhail Saakashvili
President of Georgia

Serzh Sargsyan
President of Armenia

Jens Stoltenberg
Prime Minister of Norway

Vasile Tarlev
Prime Minister of Moldova

Branko Crvenkovski
President of Macedonia

Viktor Yushchenko
President of Ukraine

Viktor Yanukovych
Prime Minister of Ukraine

2009–2014

Dmitry Medvedev
President of the Russian Federation 2008–2012

Vladimir Putin
President of Russian Federation

Ilham Aliyev
President of Azerbaijan

Norovyn Altankhuyag
Prime Minister of Mongolia

Almazbek Atambayev
President of Kyrgyzstan

Nikola Gruevski
Prime Minister of Macedonia

Gjorge Ivanov
President of Macedonia

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President of the Philippines

Angela Merkel
Chancellor of Germany

Nursultan Nazarbayev
President of Kazakhstan

Sauli Niinisto
President of Finland

Raila Odinga
Prime Minister of Kenya

Borut Pahor
Prime Minister of Slovenia

Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of Sri Lanka

Mark Rutte
Prime Minister of the Netherlands

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
Prime Minister of Spain

Serzh Sargsyan
President of Armenia

Nicolas Sarkozy
President of France

Tarja Halonen
President of Finland

Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China

Sergei Shamba
Prime Minister of Abkhazia

Nikola Spiric
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina

2015–2023

Vladimir Putin
President of Russian Federation

Almazbek Atambayev
President of Kyrgyzstan

Valeriy Bganba
Prime Minister of Abkhazia

Gennadiy Bekoev
Chairman of the Government of the Republic of South Ossetia

Anatoliy Bibilov
President of South Ossetia

Gaston Browne
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

Igor Dodon
President of Moldova

Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet
Prime Minister of Gabon

Christian Kern
Chancellor of Austria

Alpha Condé
President of Guinea

Emmanuel Macron
President of French Republic

Artur Mikvabia
Prime Minister of Abkhazia

Narendra Modi
Prime Minister of India

Joseph Muscat
Prime Minister of Malta

Nursultan Nazarbayev
President of Kazakhstan

Edouard Ngirente
Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda

Firmin Ngrebada
Prime Minister of the Central African Republic

Nuno Gomes Nabiam
Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Nikol Pashinyan
Prime Minister of Armenia

Peter Pellegrini
Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

Erik Pukhaev
Chairman of the Government of the Republic of South Ossetia

Rumen Radev
President of the Republic of Bulgaria

Matteo Renzi
Prime Minister of Italy

Abe Shinzo
Prime Minister of Japan

Roosevelt Skerrit
Prime Minister of Dominica

Faustin Archange Touadera
President of Central African Republic

Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China

Alexis Tsipras
Prime Minister of Greece

Chimediin Saikhanbileg
Prime Minister of Mongolia

Felix Tshisekedi
President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Jargaltulgyn Erdenebat
Prime Minister of Mongolia

Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President of the United Arab Emirates

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
President of Egypt

Abdelmadjid Tebboune
President of Algeria

The 26th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was held from 14 to 17 June. Over the four days, more than 17,000 participants from 130 countries took part in the SPIEF events in both offline and online formats.

The Forum’s central event was its plenary session, attended as usual by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian head of state focused on the economy, the special military operation, and aggressive actions by the West. The Forum’s plenary session was also attended by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

The honorary status of guest country was accorded this year to the United Arab Emirates, whose delegation was headed by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

BUSINESS PROGRAMME

In line with the Forum's main theme – “Sovereign Development as the Basis of a Just World: Joining Forces for Future Generations” – the discussions centred on unifying agenda.

Numerous discussions were structured into five thematic blocks: “The World Economy at a Global Turning Point”, “The Russian Economy: From Adaptation to Growth”, “Building Technological Sovereignty”, “Protecting the Population and Quality of Life as the Main Priority” and “The Labour Market: A Response to the New Challenges”.

More than 200 events took place at the Forum’s sectoral and thematic platforms as part of the business programme. During the four days, more than 1,500 moderators, experts and speakers, including foreign ones, spoke on issues ranging from socio-economic development, the environment, healthcare, transport, culture and tourism to education and science.

The SPIEF business programme was accompanied by:

  • SME Forum
  • Drug Security Forum
  • Creative Business Forum
  • International Youth Economic Forum
  • Press events and signing of agreements

The Forum's business programme was also presented in the areas of the Forum's partners VEB.RF and Sber, as well as in the thematic areas of the Forum venue: Innovation Space, VinoGrad, Governors’ Club, Roscongress Club, Roscongress Urban Hub, Social Platform, Russian Design Space, Healthy Life Area, Arctic: Territory of Dialogue, ‘Society, Education, Technology, Youth’, SPIEF Academy, and SPIEF Junior.

FORUM PARTICIPANTS

Among the high-level visitors who came to St. Petersburg were the Presidents of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Republic of Armenia, and South Ossetia, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, and over 150 top officials, including heads of international organizations and associations, foreign ministers and heads of diplomatic missions.

The biggest delegations were from the UAE, China, India, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Cuba and the United States. More than 6,000 representatives of Russian and foreign businesses from over 3,000 companies located in 75 countries and territories took part in the Forum.

The Forum events were covered by almost 4,000 media representatives from Russia and elsewhere.

Cultural programme

Forum guests were treated to more than 50 events, including the St. Petersburg Seasons Festival of Culture, Art Fair 1703, classical music concerts, the Sails of Kronstadt Festival, and the exhibition “The Terracotta Army. China’s Immortal Warriors.”

The highlight of the St Petersburg Seasons festival was the “Rock over the Neva” concert on Palace Square on 16 June, which brought together some 45,000 spectators, including Forum participants, residents and visitors to the city. The concert headliner was the band Chizh & Co. A special guest was the band Django with Alexey Poddubny.

Sports programme

This year’s programme of sporting events was significantly expanded and carried out on a qualitatively new level. The SPIEF sports games were held in two cities in 18 sports.

Agreements

More than 900 agreements worth a total of RUB 3.860 billion were signed at the Forum (including 43 agreements with representatives of foreign companies, among them two with Italy and Spain. This figure only includes the agreements whose value is not a commercial secret). The top three regions of the Russian Federation in terms of total value of agreements signed are the Leningrad Region (30 agreements worth over RUB 900 billion), St. Petersburg (over 50 agreements worth over RUB 414 billion), and Krasnodar Region (24 agreements worth over RUB 331 billion). The biggest number of agreements was signed in industry and construction (206), regional social and economic development (185), and international and interregional cooperation (85).

For 2024, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is offering two participation packages.

Please be aware that attendance at the SPIEF 2024 plenary session is not included in the participation packages and is by special invitation only.

PARTICIPANT PACKAGE

  • entry to all business and cultural programme events at the Forum (excluding the plenary session and invitation-only events);
  • access to networking areas at the Forum venue (excluding locations for invitation-only events);
  • information support.


SPIEF sideline events participant

The ‘SPIEF sideline events participant’ package provides the opportunity to attend the industry and thematic events during the SPIEF opening day (5 June).

  • Access to the Day of International SME Cooperation
  • Access to all Forum events on 5 June (excluding invitation-only events)
  • Access to business networking areas at the Forum venue on 5 June (with limited access to event areas by special invitation)
  • Access to interactive communication platforms and other opportunities at the SPIEF for international cooperation among SMEs
  • SPIEF Investment & Business Expo
  • Information support

Conditions of participation Apply to participate

Legal entities and individuals registered in the Russian Federation or abroad who have contributed to the organization and preparation of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum are eligible to become SPIEF partners. This contribution may take the form of material, financial, technical, or other support, by agreement with the Forum organizers and in accordance with the terms of a signed agreement.

Being a partner provides unparalleled business promotion opportunities at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

If you are interested in becoming a partner of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, please send an email to partners@roscongress.org or fill in an application form in the Become a partner section of our website. 

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will host the SPIEF Investment & Business Expo – a unique space for creating constructive dialogue, seeking solutions, joining forces, and sharing experience among Forum participants.

The exhibition will run throughout the Forum, and will be open to all participants.

For more detailed information on the SPIEF Expo, see the Exhibition section of the website.

The Roscongress Information and Analytical System is a unique Roscongress Foundation knowledge base.

The Roscongress Information and Analytical System takes best practices from global development institutions and combines them with Russian information analysis tools to provide quick and easy access to all resources related to major business events in Russia that are organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

Features of the interactive knowledge base:

  • Descriptions of more than 2000 sessions across 271 topics covering global and national development

  • Talks, interviews, and insights from more than 8,500 speakers

  • Research studies, articles, analytical digests, and expert opinions

roscongress.org

The Roscongress Foundation carries out active expert and analytical work, which currently involves over 5,000 professionals in Russia and abroad.

As part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, experts of the ROSCONGRESS.ORG Information and Analytical System have prepared analytical materials on the most crucial areas of the Forum's agenda.

SUMMARIES

About 120 analytical summaries – brief overviews and abstracts of key discussions describing the conclusions, objectives, and solutions have been compiled following the results of SPIEF 2023.
All texts are available in the Information and Analytical System in the ‘Programme’ and ‘List of sessions’ sections.

OUTSTANDING QUOTES

A collection of quotes from SPIEF 2023 participants that quickly and clearly reflect the core themes on the event agenda. Quotes can be arranged by session themes and the author of the statement in the 'Analytics/Expert opinion' section.

EXPERT CONSULTING

An extensive exploration of topics that have generated significant public interest, along with a systemic analysis of technologies, implemented projects, and the most staggering innovations.

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Contact information: expert@roscongress.org

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANALYTICS

Ways of international cooperation in mutually beneficial logistics of supply chains and trade turnover, the possibility of transforming human capital into national welfare, new effective economic models of the regional unions' growth.

GLOBALIZATION / REGIONALIZATION DEMOGRAPHICS ECONOMIC PROGRESS

DESCRIPTIVE AND PRESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS

The quantitative and qualitative basis of future insights.

OUTCOMES OF SPIEF 2023 RESULTS OF THE SURVEY OF PARTICIPANTS OF SPIEF 2023 KEY TRENDS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2023

DIGESTS

The profound expertise of the Roscongress Foundation specialists and established pool of partners in expert and analytical work enables the regular production of analytical digests 'Roscongress Insider' on the agenda of major business events organized by the Foundation.

BUSINESS DIALOGUES

Russia and the United Arab Emirates: Potential for Growth and Cooperation

Core points of cooperation between Russia and the UAE, SPIEF 2023 guest country.

Russia and the UAE: Ways of Technological Cooperation

A detailed report on the state and prospects of development of cooperation between Russia and the UAE in a wide range of technological industries.

RUSSIAN ECONOMY: FROM ADAPTATION TO GROWTH

Regional development trends – 2023

Trends, directions, and development tools of Russian regions in 2023.

Sovereignty as a path to prosperity

A survey of SPIEF 2023 participants and interviews with experts on the topic of Russia's economic sovereignty.

LABOUR MARKET: RESPONDING TO NEW CHALLENGES


Given the ever-evolving situation regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), we would like to remind you that we are working hard to ensure that our events are as safe as possible for participants.

All Roscongress Foundation events shall be held in accordance with the recommendations of the Rospotrebnadzor.

In particular, the following measures shall be in place at Roscongress event venues:

— all participants must take a PCR test for their badge to be activated;

— all information on antibody presence and vaccinations will be compiled by our services;

— transport will be regularly treated with special disinfectant solutions;

— each venue will be equipped with contactless temperature monitoring scanners;

— the air at the premises will undergo regular disinfection, and all premises will be fully disinfected the day before the start of the event (during which time access to the site will not be permitted).

Additional information on COVID-19 safety measures and PCR testing will be published on the website nearer the time. Please check the Forum site for updates and newsletters.

Take care and stay safe!

Since 2016 the main events of SPIEF take place at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre.

ExpoForum is a modern convention and exhibition centre that meets the standards of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).

For more information on the Forum venue, see the Forum venue section of our website. For detailed information about the geography, history, and key landmarks of St. Petersburg, see the About St. Petersburg section of our website.