The expanded business programme of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will take place on 18 to 21 June in St. Petersburg, has been published on the Forum’s official website. This year, SPIEF is focused on finding shared reference points in a time of global turbulence, rethinking models of cooperation, and laying the foundations for sustainable development.
The main theme of the Forum, ‘Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World’, highlights the commitment to balanced and inclusive development, where respect for cultural diversity, equality, and mutual interest form the basis for building new economic ties. Particular attention is given to strengthening economic sovereignty, developing national financial systems, and countering sanctions pressure.
“The modern world is undergoing major transformation. Not only is the geopolitical map changing, but so is the geo-economic landscape. Even the structure of economic relations and social connections within individual countries is shifting, while intergovernmental alliances and unions are being reconfigured. Today, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is not just a platform for discussing these changes, but a place where solutions are developed to meet rapidly evolving external conditions. It is a space where new concepts and practices emerge that are capable of shaping the future, not only of our country but of the world. It is important not only to record these changes but to guide them, setting the right direction. And we must do this in close cooperation with our friends: the countries and peoples who stand for a just world and equal conditions for development,” said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee.
The 2025 business programme will feature more than 150 sessions covering a wide range of topics: from global economic trends and digital transformation to sustainable development, technological leadership, and the strengthening of humanitarian ties. The programme is structured around five key tracks:
The Global Economy: A New Platform for Global Growth focuses on strengthening a multipolar world, expanding trade relations with friendly nations, and reforming global economic institutions.
The Russian Economy: A New Level of Growth explores economic diversification, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and the development of national financial tools such as the digital rouble.
The Individual in a New World addresses social transformation, the development of human capital, and improvements in education and healthcare, including the digitalization of social services.
The Living Environment highlights environmental concerns, sustainable development, green energy, and climate initiatives within the broader context of global challenges.
Technology: Pursuing Leadership centres on breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology, alongside issues related to import substitution and the creation of national technological ecosystems.
Among the central events of the Forum are the business forums of the SCO, BRICS and EAEU, the SME Forum, the Creative Industries Forum, the Ensuring Drug Security Forum, the Business Twenty (B20) Forum, and the General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). Russian media outlets are actively discussing the growing role of BRICS and the SCO in shaping a new economic order, which will be one of the Forum’s key themes.
International cooperation is a particular focus this year. The Forum will host 19 business dialogues on the prospects of Russia’s economic relations with foreign partners. These include: Russia–Africa, Russia–Bahrain, Russia–Brazil, Russia–Vietnam, Russia–European Union, Russia–India, Russia–Indonesia, Russia–Iran, Russia–Kazakhstan, Russia–Kyrgyzstan, Russia–China, Russia–Latin America, Russia–Mongolia, Russia–UAE, Russia–Oman, Russia–Thailand, Russia–Uzbekistan, Russia–South Africa, and EAEU–ASEAN.
These dialogues will focus on strengthening trade and economic ties, creating new logistics routes, and developing alternative payment systems.
The Day of the Future International Youth Economic Forum will be held as part of SPIEF, with support from the global network Friends for Leadership, accredited by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Forum will bring together young leaders, entrepreneurs and experts from more than 100 countries. The organization was founded by the Roscongress Foundation following the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in 2017. Russian media have emphasized the importance of involving young people in global economic processes, making this Forum a key event in shaping a new generation of leaders.
The full SPIEF 2025 business programme is available on the official website: forumspb.com/en