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 26th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is set to take place on 14–17 June 2023. 


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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

“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.”

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

2015–2022

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

This year marked the 25th edition of SPIEF, which has established itself as a sought-after global networking platform among foreign leaders, heads of major Russian and international companies, and leading experts in science, the media, business and civil society.

The flagship event on the Forum programme is the plenary session, which was attended this year by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Foreign leaders General Secretary of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi participated with video addresses.

BUSINESS PROGRAMME

The theme of the anniversary edition of SPIEF was ‘New Opportunities in a New World’. The main business programme of SPIEF 2022 was divided into four thematic areas: ‘The New Economic Order: Responding to the Challenges of the Time’, ‘The Russian Economy: New Objectives and Horizons’, ‘Modern Technology for Humanity: Building a Responsible Future’ and ‘Investment in Development as Investment in People’.

The Forum included six bilateral business dialogue events with foreign partners from Egypt, China, Africa, Latin America, Turkey and Iran, as well as meetings with representatives of BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and ASEAN.

In addition to the main business programme, the Forum also hosted:

  • The Russian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum
  • The International Youth Economic Forum
  • The B20 Regional Consultation Forum
  • The Creative Business Forum
  • The Drug Security Forum
  • The SPIEF Junior Dialogue
  • The ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ Forum

and several thematic platforms: the Innovation Space, the VinoGrad themed venue, the International Centre for Joint Initiatives (ICJI), the Roscongress Club and the Your SPIEF stand.

FORUM PARTICIPANTS

The international economic event was attended by more than 130 high-ranking officials, including vice presidents and prime ministers of foreign countries, heads of foreign cities and regions, foreign ministers, heads of parliament, representatives of leading international organizations and associations, and heads of diplomatic corps.

The Forum was covered by 3,500 media representatives from 33 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, the Donetsk People's Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Moldova, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, the UK, Uzbekistan, the USA, Venezuela and Vietnam.

For 2023, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is offering a single participation package.

Please be aware that attendance at the SPIEF 2023 plenary session is not included in the participation package 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 following industry and thematic events at the SPIEF venue (14 June):

  • Russian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum
  • ‘Ensuring Drug Security’ Russian Pharmaceutical Forum

PACKAGE COST – RUB 25,000 (including VAT)

To attend the events:

  1. Register for SPIEF 2023 in the Roscongress personal account
  2. When completing the application, select the ‘SPIEF sideline events participant’ package
  3. Next, select the event that you plan to attend – the 8th Russian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum (14 June) or the ‘Ensuring Drug Security’ Russian Pharmaceutical Forum (14 June)

The Organizing Committee will review your application. If it is approved, you will be sent an invitation to the Forum and the status of your application will be updated in real time.

14 JUNE IS THE DAY OF INTERNATIONAL SME COOPERATION AT THE SPIEF.

On 14 June, the SPIEF platform will shift its focus to opportunities for the development of and cooperation among Russian and international small and medium-sized businesses, a new format for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to participate in the SPIEF.

Opportunities for participants

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 ‘SPIEF sideline events participant’ package provides the opportunity to attend the following industry and thematic events at the SPIEF venue (14 June):

PACKAGE COST – RUB 25,000 (including VAT)

To attend the events:

  1. Register for SPIEF 2023 in the Roscongress personal account
  2. When completing the application, select the ‘SPIEF sideline events participant’ package
  3. Next, select the event that you plan to attend – the 8th Russian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum (14 June) or the ‘Ensuring Drug Security’ Russian Pharmaceutical Forum (14 June)

The Organizing Committee will review your application. If it is approved, you will be sent an invitation to the Forum and the status of your application will be updated in real time.

Opportunities for participants:

  • 8th Russian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum (SME Forum) – a point of attraction for participants to discuss a wide range of issues related to the support and development of small businesses in the country
  • An extensive business programme and the main event of the SME Forum – the plenary session ‘International Cooperation: From Challenges to Solutions’. View the programme architecture
  • Access to interactive communication platforms and other opportunities at the SPIEF for international cooperation among SMEs
  • Networking space – the Business Networking Platform
  • Access to business networking areas at the Forum venue (with limited access to event areas by special invitation)
  • SPIEF Investment & Business Expo
  • Thematic platforms: Innovation Space, Healthy Life Area, Roscongress Urban Hub, VinoGrad, and the MARMA AR technology zone
  • Information support

Each year, a series of major regional events, business forums, and meetings between members of the business community is held as part of efforts to promote the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The Roscongress Foundation holds a series of events in Russia and abroad, including Russia’s Regions: New Areas of Growth (a joint project with the Russian Export Center and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives), and SPIEF off-site sessions aimed at supporting continuous cooperation between Russian and foreign officials, and the business and scientific communities. 

For more detailed information about SPIEF off-site events, see the SPIEF Events section.


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

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 World Health Organization and 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.