It is precisely at this forum, in the city of Vladivostok, that the energy of partnership turns remoteness into an advantage, and harsh conditions into an incentive for technological breakthroughs. EEF’26 instills confidence that the Far East is becoming not a periphery, but a growth engine for the entire country and a bridge to dynamic Asia.
What is EEF’26?
The 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF’26), organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation, was held from September 1 to September 4, 2026, in Vladivostok, on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) on Russky Island. The main theme of the forum – “The Far East — development for the benefit of people” – set the direction for discussions about transforming the macroregion into a hub for investment, technology, and human capital, about developing international transport corridors, strengthening energy security, and improving the quality of life in eastern Russia. More than 7,000 delegates from more than 79 countries took part in the forum, including heads of state, heads of international organizations, and leading investors – the forum became the largest in its history! At the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF‑2026), which took place on September 3, the following high‑ranking foreign guests took to the stage alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin: Prabowo Subianto — President of Indonesia (the main guest of the forum), Nyamaa‑Ochiryn Uchral — Prime Minister of Mongolia, Nyo So — Vice‑President of Myanmar, and Ding Xuexiang — Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
The Russian delegation was represented by Deputy Prime Minister – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev, Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov, Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit, Minister of Energy Sergei Tsivilev, Head of VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov, President of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, Head of Gazprom Alexey Miller, and others.
The campus of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)
- The business program of the forum
The business program of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF’26) included more than 120 sessions, grouped into several main tracks. "New Energy" ""New Energy of the Far East" (development of energy, gas chemistry, renewable sources, export to the Asia–Pacific region), "Logistics of the Future: transport Corridors and the Northern Sea Route" (modernization of the BAM and Transsib, port infrastructure, digital services), "Technological sovereignty and digital transformation" (artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, """"Communication in remote areas"), ""Investments and Finance" (new support mechanisms, Islamic banking, capital market), " "Social Development and quality of life" (healthcare, education, urban environment) and "International Cooperation in the Asia–Pacific region" (Russia–China, Russia–India, Russia-ASEAN, SCO dialogues). Special attention was paid to practical formats – international business dialogues, a forum for creative industries, and the Youth Day “East of the Future”.
- The session “Prospects for the Development of BRICS: Transformation and New Horizons”
Moreover, the forum was attended by the ministers of economy of Myanmar, Cambodia and Mongolia, delegations from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, as well as representatives of the UN, APEC, ASEAN, the SCO and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Among the key issues on the agenda are the formation of a new model for the development of the Far East as a center of Eurasian integration, ensuring technological and digital sovereignty in the context of global competition, the role of artificial intelligence in improving the efficiency of the extractive and transport industries, stimulating private investment and developing export potential, building a creative economy and human capital, as well as issues related to food and energy security in the Asia‑Pacific region. Thus, it can be safely said that EEF’26 has confirmed its status as the leading platform for pragmatic dialogue focused on the accelerated development of Russia’s eastern territories and their integration into the global economy.
- International cooperation and the development of the Asia‑Pacific region
At the EEF’26, the topic of international cooperation and deepening partnership with countries of the Asia‑Pacific region became one of the central ones. Key discussions unfolded within the framework of the sessions of the “International Cooperation in the Asia‑Pacific Region” track and business dialogues.
The session “Russia – ASEAN: New Horizons for Business Cooperation,” held on September 3, 2026, in Vladivostok, became one of the most important discussion platforms. The event confirmed that ASEAN’s economic weight continues to grow: the countries of the association account for about 8% of global GDP, and Russia’s trade turnover with ASEAN in the first half of 2026 increased by 35% compared to the same period last year. The main tool for the work will be the Russia–ASEAN Business Cooperation Council, established by a decision of the President of Russia in March 2026. It is intended not only to facilitate dialogue between the state and business but also to serve as an analytical center developing specific proposals for the development of trade, investment, and technological exchange.
Cooperation is being carried out along 7 key tracks: transport and logistics, energy (including LNG supplies and peaceful nuclear energy), the digital economy, agriculture and food security, tourism, education and science. In the future, healthcare will be added to this list.
“The Far East and ASEAN are two growing poles that naturally gravitate towards each other. Our markets, resources, and technologies combine to create a common potential that no single state has on its own,” said Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.
In turn, Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, steered the discussion in a practical direction, posing to the participants the question of concrete steps to align Russian and Asian logistics projects, including the creation of a unified digital platform for tracking cargo.
Thus, the EEF’26 recorded the deepening of Russia’s pivot to the East, which was confirmed both by strategic statements (growth in trade turnover, investment, and technological exchange) and by specific sectoral tracks (transport, energy, food, and the digital economy).
The session “Business Dialogue Russia–ASEAN”
- Technological leadership and ensuring digital sovereignty, implementing artificial intelligence systems
More than fifteen specialized sessions and round tables were held as part of the forum, addressing issues of technological leadership, achieving digital sovereignty, and implementing artificial intelligence, with the participation of key representatives of the government and business.
The session “Digital East: Communication, Data, Security,” held on September 3, 2026, became an important dialogue platform for discussing the technological sovereignty of the macroregion and the creation of a unified digital infrastructure. The main topic was the joint overcoming of digital inequality and ensuring cybersecurity in the face of growing threats. The participants focused on creating a unified fiber‑optic network along the Northern Sea Route, developing a satellite constellation for remote areas, and finding optimal approaches to regulating the digital environment.
During the discussion of the problem of internet access in remote settlements, Maksut Shadaev, Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, spoke:
“In order for the Far East to become digital, it is necessary to ensure access to high‑speed internet in areas where it currently does not exist at all. People should feel included in the knowledge economy regardless of geography.”
The practical outcome of the session was the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Digital Development and telecommunications operators on the construction of an underwater fiber‑optic communication line from Kamchatka to Chukotka.
The next thematic session, “Artificial Intelligence for the Real Sector: From Forecasts to Implementation,” which took place on September 4, effectively became a policy statement announcing the completion of the pilot phase of AI implementation in industry and the transition to large‑scale replication of solutions. The discussion noted that the main customers of AI technologies in the East are mining, transport, and energy companies. The participants emphasized that the task is no longer about simple testing, but about creating industry standards and training personnel.
“We need to stop treating AI as an experiment and start implementing it as an integral part of production processes. Only in this way will we be able to compete in the global market,” said Pavel Grachev, CEO of Polyus.
The session also highlighted the importance of a sovereign computing infrastructure for the financial sector:
“Financial institutions in the Far East are increasingly becoming targets of cyberattacks. The higher the share of domestic software and hardware, the more resilient our system is,” said Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank.
Итогом сессии стало утверждение, что российская цифровая отрасль выработала собственную модель развития на Востоке, а запросы государства, бизнеса и людей объединяет стремление к максимально эффективному использованию технологий для повышения качества жизни.
The evolution of financial markets and the emergence of a creative economy
The topic of the evolution of financial markets and the emergence of a creative economy was widely represented at the EEF’26. In addition, issues related to financing, interaction with business, the role of people, and technology were discussed.
The strategic session “Investments in the Far East: New Mechanisms and New Markets,” held on September 4, 2026, became a key platform for discussing changes in the structure of financing for projects in the macroregion. The central topics of discussion were the internal drivers of growth in the Far Eastern economy, the transformation of the capital market, and the search for new vectors of international cooperation with Asian investors.
Igor Shuvalov, head of VEB.RF, outlined priority areas for attracting investment, singling out projects that have a multiplier effect: “The most promising areas are the deep processing of raw materials, shipbuilding, the development of port infrastructure, and the urban economy of Vladivostok. We are ready to co‑finance up to 30 % of the project costs, provided that private investors from China, India, and the countries of the Middle East participate.”
As the participants noted, in the context of global fragmentation, the key factors are the diversification of funding sources, the development of Islamic banking instruments, and the creation of special funds for venture investments in technology startups in the Far East.
- Building human capital and implementing the principles of sustainable development
At the EEF’26, several significant sessions were held within the framework of the topics of building human capital and sustainable development. The participants discussed a wide range of issues: from training thousands of specialists for new industries to involving indigenous peoples in the region’s economy.
The session “Personnel for the New Economy of the Far East,” which took place on September 4, became a platform for discussing one of the main resources for the development of the macroregion – human capital.
The main problem highlighted in the speeches was the imbalance between the needs of growing industries and the actual competencies of graduates. Most young people still choose humanities-related specialties, while the economy needs engineers, technologists, and IT specialists. A strategic shift was identified from a system of “training to meet today’s standards” to education that takes into account the future needs of the economy:
“The key principle is to teach not what is required today, but what will become the standard in 5–10 years,” said Tatyana Terentyeva (Deputy General Director for Human Resources at the state corporation Rosatom).
In addition, the participants agreed that the training of future engineers and technologists should begin in kindergarten and school by demonstrating modern professions and immersing students in real‑world tasks. Governor of the Primorsky Territory, Oleg Kozhemyako, called for the creation of “specialized lyceums throughout the Far East, with the participation of industrial partners such as the Zvezda Shipbuilding Company, the Nakhodka Mineral Fertilizer Plant, and Rusolovo.”
Governor of the Primorsky Territory Oleg Kozhemyako
It can be concluded that in the new socio-economic model, ecology, health, and the preservation of cultural heritage are becoming key criteria, and business and community leaders play a leading role in creating a comfortable and healthy environment for people. The future of the macroregion’s economy directly depends on the ability to simultaneously train personnel for the 5–10‑year horizon and implement sustainable development approaches as a system‑forming guideline for all sectors.
- Plenary session
On September 3, a plenary session was held as part of EEF’26. The session was moderated by Russian journalist and TV presenter Kirill Tokarev, and the key speaker was Russian President Vladimir Putin. Along with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Ochiryn Ukhnaa, Myanmar Vice President Nyo So, and Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Ding Xuexiang, he discussed the formation of a new architecture of cooperation in the Asia‑Pacific region. Vladimir Vladimirovich emphasized that Russia is open to broad partnership, and the center of the global economy is definitively shifting to Asia. At the same time, according to him, attempts by individual countries to “slow down this objective process” are doomed to fail, but “the world becomes more equitable when economic growth encompasses more and more countries.” Special attention was paid to technological sovereignty: the Russian president stated that the country is striving for leadership in the fields of artificial intelligence, hydrogen energy, and biotechnology, adding that “countries face a historic choice: either to create their own platforms or to become a digital periphery.”
Plenary session at EEF’26
In addition, Vladimir Putin instructed the government and VEB.RF, together with business associations, to prepare a concept for the advanced development of the Far East’s infrastructure. It is expected that the document will cover all key projects — from expanding the Eastern Railway Segment to building new power bridges to China and Mongolia. In this work, the president asked to take into account the process of platformization of the economy and the need for digital modeling of transport flows.
“A lot has already been done to make it easy for investors to enter projects in the Far East, using the preferences of the Special Economic Zone and the Vladivostok Free Port. However, as businesses grow and develop, infrastructure limitations sometimes arise, and not every entrepreneur is ready to deal with them,” Vladimir Putin explained.
The Russian president also called for minimizing bureaucratic barriers and ensuring a “seamless connection” of businesses to power grids and transport infrastructure.
Undoubtedly, the plenary session of EEF’26 outlined the contours of a new economic reality, in which pragmatic cooperation with Asia, technological independence, and a rethinking of the global role of the Far East have become priorities.
V. V. Putin at the plenary session of the EEF’26
- Youth Day at the EEF’26
The Youth Day, titled “The East of the Future,” took place on September 4, 2026, at the FEFU campus on the final day of the EEF’26, becoming a key platform for young people aged 18 to 35, where they could not only learn about development prospects but also directly participate in shaping the macroregion’s agenda.
- “The East of the Future” at the EEF’26
The main goal of the program was to develop human capital, unlock the potential of young people, and create opportunities for professional self‑realization in the Far East. As Russian Presidential Adviser Anton Kobyakov noted, this day became “an important platform where practical solutions are being formed” to train a new generation of leaders capable of ensuring the technological development and economic growth of the eastern territories, and young people acted not just as spectators, but as co‑authors of the future. Within the framework of “The East of the Future,” more than 30 sessions were held on key thematic blocks: technologies (artificial intelligence in mining, robotics, digital services for remote areas), economy and entrepreneurship (startups in creative industries, agritech, tourism), human resources and education (the prestige of engineering professions, interaction between universities and businesses), media and communications (promotion of Far Eastern brands, the influence of bloggers on tourist flows), and international cooperation (youth exchanges with countries of the Asia‑Pacific region, intercultural ties). Among the key speakers were government officials: Andrey Fursenko, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation; Alexey Matushansky, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade; Vladimir Zhelonkin, Deputy Minister of Education; Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh; and others.
The Youth Day “East of the Future” within the framework of EEF’26
- EEF’26 is more than just a forum
The 11th Eastern Economic Forum has convincingly demonstrated that in an era of tectonic shifts in the global landscape, it has ceased to be just a traditional platform for business negotiations and signing agreements. EEF’26 has become a strategic “think tank,” a place where the contours of the future of Eurasian cooperation are crystallized through pragmatic dialogue. The business program, which covered macroeconomic trends, technological sovereignty, and social innovations, demonstrated that the Far Eastern economy is not only adapting to challenges but also shaping its own agenda for sustainable growth, based on internal resources and openness to equitable partnership with Asia.
The forum was given a special tone by “The East of the Future” – a space where young people ceased to be passive observers and became full‑fledged co‑authors of change. This is not a nod to fashion, but a conscious investment step: human capital, energy, and unconventional thinking of the new generation are the main resource that will determine the global competitiveness of tomorrow. The participation of thousands of young entrepreneurs, engineers, and IT specialists from dozens of regions and countries has confirmed a simple truth: they have not just the right to vote, but the real ability to implement the most ambitious projects, from artificial intelligence to green energy. WEF’26 has established intergenerational continuity as an economic imperative.
Finally, the common thread running through all the discussions was the understanding that international friendship and technological cooperation are not abstract slogans, but a necessary condition for survival and prosperity in a multipolar world. The participation of leaders from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Mongolia, as well as representatives of the UN, ASEAN, the SCO, and APEC, demonstrated that pragmatic dialogue overcomes political barriers. The forum once again proved that no single country is capable of solving the problems of the technological gap, climate change, or food security alone. Mutual respect, openness to partnership, and the joint pursuit of a balance of interests are the true foundation of a stable future. EEF’26 will go down in history as an event where a serious economy acquired a human face, young people received the keys to tomorrow, and international cooperation was recognized as an uncontested value.
