SPIEF started in St. Petersburg

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has kicked off, with participation confirmed by representatives from 130 countries. The main theme is "Pragmatic dialogue — the way to a stable future", the central event will be a plenary session with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The total amount of contracts may exceed 6.5 trillion rubles.

Among the key events are the SCO and BRICS business forums, regional and sectoral cooperation, small business, artificial intelligence, creative economy and technologies for life are on the agenda. The forum space itself is the city of the future: robots, talking trees, novelties of the automotive industry (AURUS and the new Volga), developments in the field of medicine, science and AI.

Russian Russian correspondent Maxim Oblender noted that the pavilions feature a magical forest with characters from Russian fairy tales and rejuvenating apples, panels of 120,000 living chrysanthemums and carnations grown in Russia, as well as a modern interpretation of Russian classics. The size of the pavilions is commensurate with the six Red Squares.

While waiting for the official opening, the unofficial start of the forum was given by the ceremony of planting a leafy alley in St. Petersburg's Mikhailovsky Square.

"89 trees, they speak about our whole country, about all our interconnectedness, as if the root structure of trees unites all of us, all our families, children and grandchildren. Today, the most important thing is that veterans of a special military operation are with us meaningfully. We are very pleased that they have joined our big event," Konstantin Mayor, Chairman of the Living Heritage Foundation, explained at the alley planting ceremony.

This event was broadcast on the media facades of the Maer holding throughout the country. A total of 89 new trees will appear in the city during the days of the forum, according to the number of regions of Russia. The Living Heritage Foundation and Roscongress planted 20 oaks and lime trees in the year of Russia's unity.

For the first time in five years, guests do not need to take COVID tests, they will be asked only from the visitors of the plenary session. Delegates from the United States, the European Union (Germany, Austria, France) and the United Kingdom will officially arrive in St. Petersburg, which underlines the readiness for cultural exchange. Saudi Arabia has the honorary status of a guest country. In 2026, Moscow and Riyadh celebrate the centenary of trade relations, and trade has doubled over the past five years.

Mohamed Yongavo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Russia, said he hopes to build partnerships and expand ties with Russian companies and organizations. Gaurav Sharma, CEO of ACIC-VGU, noted that he is attracted to the sessions dedicated to the BRICS countries and the energy sector.

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.

The governor of the city, Alexander Beglov, announced yesterday that St. Petersburg will present its industrial potential and investment opportunities at one of the most extensive stands at the SPIEF. It was noted that the exposition will be divided into several thematic sectors. The marine technology zone will house models of the Rimsky-Korsakov container vessel, as well as the crew-less boats Briz and Orkan.