The installation of pavilions for the SPIEF has begun in St. Petersburg

Preparations are underway in St. Petersburg for the main economic event of the summer. The big business program of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will begin there on June 3. Pavilions are being installed on the site of 20 football fields, where regions and representatives of more than a hundred countries are preparing to surprise investors from all over the world.

Two swords and a palm tree are depicted on the coat of arms and in the design of the pavilion of the largest country of the Arabian Peninsula and its largest economy. Saudi Arabia has the status of a guest country at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2026. The country's pavilion this year will probably be one of the most atmospheric — palm trees, delicate lines of ornaments, soft warm light.

"There are different zones here. There is, of course, a zone with local products, a zone with investment offers in Saudi Arabia, as well as a zone with cultural heritage," said technical specialist Alexander Lygin.

Representatives of Kyrgyzstan are building a national dwelling of steppe peoples in front of the Saudi pavilion. Guests will be welcomed in the yurt.

"This is a pompous herb for decorating anything," the organizers noted.

On an area of 20 football fields, which is about the size of the entire Expoforum, the most intense time has come. Literally every square meter will be occupied. The work is proceeding at a very intensive pace.

The pavilion of the Leningrad Region will be divided into two semantic parts by the lighthouse – "good work" and "comfortable life". The Donetsk Republic has focused on industry, the Krasnodar Territory on winemaking. The regions are ready to fight for the attention of investors.

Representatives from more than 130 countries are expected at Pulkovo Heights this year. These are not only Russia's friends and partners from Asia, Africa, and South America, but also representatives of the West, participants from more than 130 countries, including the United States, France, Austria, Romania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

"Active work is underway to finalize the program. There are a lot of international speakers and business dialogues. For the first time in a long time, an official delegation from the United States of America is taking part this year," said Alexey Valkov, Director of the SPIEF.

The entire playground is a huge, gigantic mechanism that is gaining momentum by the minute. On the upper floors of Expoforum, the restaurateurs are preparing to surprise the guests. Among the delicacies, omul in creamy nut sauce and moose lips will be offered. The most expensive thing is to pay for caviar.

"Caviar collection. Black, red, and pike caviar – 19.5 thousand [rubles] per 100 grams," said Alexey Belikov, the chef of the restaurant.

Hundreds of journalists are preparing to cover the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Izvestia will help you not to miss all the most important things. Broadcasts, important statements, analytics — the studio will work around the clock.

For the first time in five years, all participants will not have to take a COVID-19 test. It will be needed only by those who will attend the plenary session. On June 3, St. Petersburg will once again become the point where the big world economy gathers.

Forum people: which countries' delegations will definitely come to SPIEF 2026

The stabilization of the oil market may become one of the key topics of discussion in St. Petersburg.

On the same day, the Korean Central News Agency reported that a delegation from the DPRK headed by Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs Yun Chong Ho would take part in the SPIEF. The delegation members have already left the Korean capital and also intend to visit the Belagro-2026 exhibition in Belarus.