"SPIEF'26 is not just a dialogue between industry leaders, but an intellectual bridge to the future, where the complexity of global challenges creates the delicacy of joint solutions. This is where the synergy of ideas is born, which transforms the potential of international cooperation, digital sovereignty and sustainable development into the "living fabric" of progress, inspiring confidence in the future of science, economics and human capital."
What is SPIEF’26?
XXIX St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF'26), organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the title partnership of VEB.Russian Federation, was held from June 3-6, 2026 in St. Petersburg at the traditional site of the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Center. The general theme of the forum ("Pragmatic dialogue is the way to a stable future") sets the vector for discussions on the transition to a multipolar economy, the search for balanced solutions in the face of global turbulence, technological leadership, digital sovereignty, human capital development and improving the quality of life. The forum was attended by about 20,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, including heads of state and international organizations. Among the high–ranking guests are President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Abkhazia Badra Gunba, vice premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng, as well as Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman Al Saud. The Russian delegation was represented by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak and Alexey Overchuk, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Head of the Ministry of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, heads of major corporations German Gref (Sberbank), Alexey Mordashov (Severstal), Alexander Dyukov (Gazprom Neft), Tatiana Kim (Wildberries) and others. Saudi Arabia became the guest country of the forum, and for the first time in almost a decade, the participation of an official US delegation led by the head of the Commission on Fine Arts, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., became a landmark event.
Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Center
Business program of the Forum
The business program of the XXIX St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF’26) included more than 150 sessions combined into several main tracks. Among them are the global economy between confrontation and cooperation (transformation of global markets, development of BRICS, new partnership formats), the Russian economy: structural changes to return to the growth trajectory (new development model, import substitution, entrepreneurship support), technologies defining the future (artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital sovereignty), the environment for life (urban development, infrastructure, healthcare) and the social sphere in the era of new technologies (demography, labor market, creative economy). Special attention was paid to practical formats such as international business dialogues, the SCO and BRICS forums, the Creative Industries Forum and the Youth Forum "Future Day".
The session "BRICS Development Prospects: Transformation and new Horizons"
Moreover, the forum was attended by the Ministers of Industry of Saudi Arabia Bandar Bin Ibrahim al-Khorayef, the UAE economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the delegations of Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Sierra Leone and Indonesia, as well as representatives of the United Nations, APEC, CIS, CSTO, OPEC and the New BRICS Development Bank.
Among the key issues on the agenda are the formation of a new model of global development in a multipolar world, ensuring technological and digital sovereignty, the role of artificial intelligence in the economy and social sphere, stimulating investment and the IPO market, the development of the creative economy and human capital, as well as issues of food and energy security. Thus, we can safely say that SPIEF’26 has confirmed the status of one of the world's leading platforms for a pragmatic dialogue focused on sustainable development.
Russia-Africa Session
International Cooperation and Development of the BRICS Association
BRICS became one of the central themes at SPIEF’26. Key discussions unfolded within the framework of the BRICS Business Forum, namely at specialized sessions.
The session of the BRICS Business Council, held on June 4, 2026 in St. Petersburg, has become one of the most important discussion platforms. The event confirmed that the economic weight of the association continues to grow: the BRICS countries account for 40% of global GDP by PPP, 49% of global economic growth and a quarter of global exports. The main instrument of work will be the National Committee for Business Cooperation in the BRICS format, established by the decision of the President of Russia in February 2026. It is designed not only to promote dialogue between government and business, but also to serve as an analytical center that develops specific proposals for the development of cooperation.
Cooperation follows 9 key ways, including logistics, as the "circulatory system of world trade", finance, payment systems, education and healthcare.
Special attention was paid at the session to the discussion of a potential crisis due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. President of the Russian Fertilizer Producers Association (RAFP) Andrey Guryev called it "a colossal challenge for world trade, for food security, and for energy security," which could affect the poorest segments of the population. In this regard, he stressed the role of Russia as one of the largest exporters of grain, fertilizers, gas and oil, which can offer a stable product on the market.
Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, said: "The strength of the BRICS is that the partner countries complement each other. Markets, resources, and technologies add up to a common potential that no state has individually."
In addition, at another session entitled "Trade in turbulent times", it was noted that against the background of the fragmentation of the global economy, it is the BRICS, SCO and ASEAN countries that are becoming the main centers of attraction for business.
During the session, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Russian Federation Vinay Kumar spoke about the successes of India, which is turning into a global manufacturing hub, and about plans to further strengthen cooperation, including with BRICS partners.:
"We see that our Make in India program is quite successful... We want to produce competitive products and goods for everyone," he said.
Vinay Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Russian Federation
In general, SPIEF’26 recorded the transition of the center of economic activity and business cooperation to the BRICS, confirmed by both strategic statements (growth, trade, investment) and specific industry tracks (logistics, finance, education, women's entrepreneurship).
Technological leadership and ensuring digital sovereignty, the introduction of artificial intelligence systems
The forum hosted more than a dozen specialized sessions and round tables on issues of technological leadership, digital sovereignty and the introduction of artificial intelligence with the participation of key government and business representatives.
Thus, the session "Digital Future: common development vectors, challenges and solutions" has become an important dialogue platform for discussing the technological sovereignty of the region and the creation of a unified digital infrastructure. The main topic was the joint overcoming of challenges to achieve technological sovereignty. The participants focused on discussing a unified digital infrastructure in the CIS, the search for optimal approaches to regulating the digital environment, and issues of digital transformation and the introduction of new technologies.
The practical outcome of the session was the confirmation of the intention of the CIS countries to continue working together on digital transformation and the introduction of new technologies.
The next thematic session, "Man – State – Business: the evolution of digital interaction and the development of Russian online platforms," actually became a programmatic statement about the end of the era of digital import substitution in Russia and the transition to a new phase, namely, the creation of unique world-class platforms that form a new experience of interaction.
The discussion documented the transition from the policy of import substitution to the advanced creation of their own technological solutions. The participants expressed their thoughts that the task is no longer to simply replace foreign products, but to create fundamentally new solutions and experiences of interaction between people, government and business.
"We need to stop import substitution of certain foreign solutions and focus on creating a qualitatively new experience of interaction between people, the state and entrepreneurs," says Maxim Iksanov, general manager of News Media Holding.
The importance of a sovereign digital infrastructure for the financial sector was also highlighted at the session:
"Banks are the "circulatory system" for finance... The greater the share of sovereignty, the more understandable, predictable and long–term the banking business becomes," says Sergey Khotimsky, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Sovcombank.
The session resulted in the statement that the Russian digital industry has developed its own development model, and the demands of the state, business and people are united by the desire to maximize effective interaction with each other.
Session "Man — State – Business: the evolution of digital interaction and the development of Russian online platforms"
It can be argued that SPIEF'26 marked the vector of movement from the policy of import substitution to the creation of unique digital ecosystems and platforms as the basis of technological sovereignty of the country.
The evolution of financial markets and the emergence of the creative economy
The topics of the evolution of financial markets and the formation of the creative economy were widely presented at SPIEF’26. In addition, issues of financing, interaction with business, the role of man and technology were discussed.
Strategic session "Investing in new markets. How the landscape is changing in an era of Uncertainty", held on June 4, 2026, became a key platform for discussion about changes in the structure of global finance. The central topics of discussion were the internal growth drivers of the Russian economy, the transformation of the capital market and the search for new vectors of international cooperation.
The head of Kaspersky Lab, Evgeny Kaspersky, outlined priority areas for the international development of Russian business, highlighting countries that are actively increasing their economic weight.:
"The most promising areas for the international development of Russian companies are Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, as well as India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Access to foreign markets remains relevant, despite the growth of cyber threats and the development of AI technologies."
Moreover, during the discussion, Chinese enterpriser Si Hua cited specific figures demonstrating the successful economic cooperation between the two countries:
"Chinese investments in Russia increased by 30%, and Russian investments in China increased by 10%."
As the participants noted, in the context of global fragmentation, the key factors are the diversification of directions, the development of human capital and the search for new partnerships, including with the BRICS countries, Asia and the Middle East, which are increasingly shaping a new architecture of global trade.
Strategic session "Investing in new markets. How the landscape is changing in an era of uncertainty"
It is worth paying attention to the session "Renaissance of Living Impressions: Event Economy as a new model of territorial development", which became an important part of the forum of creative Industries at SPIEF'26. The main conclusion of this meeting was that after several years of fascination with virtual space, people are increasingly choosing live experiences, and brands and cities are starting to compete with the quality of experiences rather than services.
Five key trends were discussed during the session. Firstly, the new role of the audience: modern people tend to be not a passive spectator, but a co-author of events, so there is a growing demand for interactive formats.
Secondly, cultural projects are moving beyond the capitals: the focus is shifting from one-time promotions to long-term ecosystem connections with audiences in the regions.
Thirdly, the transition from FinTech to FunTech has been recorded: technology is becoming a basic expectation, and the main competition revolves around the quality of emotions and human experience, the creation of communities and attractive "scenarios of life." Kristina Vdovina, Alfa-Bank's Director of Brand and Charity, notes: "Technology is gradually becoming a basic expectation, so competition is shifting from functionality to the quality of human experience and emotions, which is the transition from FinTech to FunTech».
Fourth, event tourism is becoming an independent driver of territorial development: tourists are increasingly choosing a destination not based on geography, but for a specific festival, exhibition, or sporting event.
Fifth, impression management is becoming a government strategy: creating a high-quality event agenda for the years ahead is recognized as equally important as building infrastructure, since a person's quality of life directly depends on the variety of events available to him.
The main outcome of the discussion was the recognition that the event economy is becoming an effective tool for the development of territories, attracting investments and forming an attractive brand of cities and regions. This requires business and government to jointly create high-quality and diverse "experiences" that can retain and engage people.
Healthcare modernization
An important track of SPIEF 2026 was the topic of health and longevity. The key discussion vectors were drug safety, human resources, and the transition from disease treatment to health management.
The plenary session "Medicinal safety as a component of health care" became the key event of the track. Its main result was the consolidation of the status of drug safety as an element of national security and the definition of the vector of movement of the Russian pharmaceutical industry towards global technological leadership.
The plenary session "Medicinal safety as a component of health care"
The main ideas at the meeting were outlined as follows: drug safety is defined as "an integral part of national security and one of the key conditions for maintaining the health of the nation." The number one priority for any changes in regulatory policy is patient safety. The industry is also tasked with the transition to the creation of domestic original drugs and the development of full-cycle production. The strategic goal is not only to achieve technological sovereignty, but also to establish the leadership positions of Russian drugs and technologies at the global level. Moreover, it was recognized that Russia's scientific approaches to pharmaceutical industry regulation are beginning to be copied by leading countries.
Andrey Kaprin, Director General of the National Research Medical Center of Radiology, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that "the Russian cancer service for the production of chemotherapy drugs is almost completely localized, and is also actively developing its own targeted, immune and radiopharmaceuticals."
At the same time, at the session "Professional guidance and mentoring in medicine. Experience, best practices, and the future" discussed system solutions in the field of training and securing medical personnel.
Maria Vorontsova, a leading researcher at the National Research Medical Center of Endocrinology of the Russian Ministry of Health, presented the results of a survey of students, which showed that professional development and self-realization are key incentives for them.
"The high dropout rate in the first years was a serious problem. To solve this problem, Sechenov Moscow State University has launched the School–University–Clinic project, which allows applicants to be trained from school and introduced to their future profession," added Pyotr Glybochko, Rector of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.
The main innovation of the session was the proposal to introduce digital tools to support young professionals, including: a unified digital portfolio of graduates (collecting data on academic performance and research interests), an information system about medical institutions (a database on teams, mentors and infrastructure of regions and a system for algorithmic selection of vacancies for an objective search for internship places).
Thus, at SPIEF’26, two basic directions of modernization of the Russian healthcare system were fixed: ensuring drug sovereignty and creating a flexible, human-oriented personnel model capable of attracting and retaining medical personnel.
Building human resources and implementing the principles of sustainable development
Several significant sessions were held at SPIEF’26 as part of the topics of human resource development and sustainable development. The participants discussed a wide range of issues, from hiring thousands of specialists for a technological breakthrough to involving oldtimers in the business.
The session "Personnel for Technological Leadership" served as a platform for discussing one of the main resources of the economy of the future – human capital.
The main problem raised in the speeches was the gap between the growing interest of young people in technology and insufficient training in schools, which creates a gap between business expectations and the real competencies of graduates. A strategic transition was outlined from a system of "training to meet today's standards" to training 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 Tatiana Terentyeva, Deputy General Director for Personnel at Rosatom State Corporation.
In addition, the participants agreed that the training of future engineers and technologists should begin in kindergarten and school with a demonstration of modern professions and immersion in real tasks. Andrey Komarov, a member of the board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, called for the creation of "specialized lyceums with the participation of industrial partners" throughout the country.
It is also worth noting the session "Leaders of Change: the role of brands in shaping a healthy and sustainable future", the main theme of which was the transformation of the role of brands in the new economic reality. Several important aspects were touched upon during the session:
Creators of social and technological projects, entrepreneurs and community leaders are beginning to play a leading role in shaping the modern sustainable development agenda. Meanwhile, modern brands are viewed not just as suppliers of goods, but as carriers of cultural codes and values that can influence consumer trends. The formation of a new socio-economic model is also beginning, where ecology, safety and health care become the main criteria. Despite the growing quality of life, there is a problem of chronic fatigue due to the need to combine multiple roles. In this regard, as Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko noted, "it's time to talk about changes that can affect the creation of a comfortable and healthy environment for humans."
It can be concluded that in the new socio-economic model, the key criteria are ecology, health and safety, and business and community leaders play a leading role in creating a comfortable and healthy environment for humans. The future of the country's economy directly depends on the ability to simultaneously train personnel for a 5-10-year horizon and implement sustainable development approaches as a strategic guideline for all sectors.
The plenary session
On June 5, a plenary session was held within the framework of SPIEF’26, moderated by Indian journalist Geeta Mohan, and the key speaker was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, along with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, discussed the formation of a new global paradigms. Vladimir Vladimirovich stressed that Russia is open to cooperation, and the global economy is being transformed with the emergence of new centers of power, while, according to him, European elites "provoke chaos into which they are trying to drag more and more countries," but "the world becomes more just when economic growth covers more and more countries." Special attention was paid to technological sovereignty: the Russian president stated that the country aspires to leadership in the fields of artificial intelligence, nuclear energy and IT, adding that "countries face a historical choice: either create their own platforms or become digital peripherals."
The plenary session at SPIEF’26
In addition, Vladimir Putin instructed the government and VEB.The Russian Federation, together with business associations, will prepare a concept for a smooth transition in business development and growth. The document is expected to cover all stages of business growth: from self-employment to individual entrepreneurship and to a company "with all the advantages of corporate governance." In this work, the president asked to take into account the process of platformization of the economy.
"A lot has already been done to ensure that initiative, enterprising people can easily start their own business, launch production, and provide in-demand services to the public. However, when a business grows and develops, sometimes organizational difficulties arise, additional financial costs arise, and not every entrepreneur is ready to cope with them," Vladimir Putin explained.
The Russian president also called for minimizing costs and ensuring a "seamless transition" of businesses from small to large.
Undoubtedly, the SPIEF 26 plenary session captured the contours of a multipolar world, where pragmatic economic cooperation, technological independence, and a rethinking of Russia's global role have become priorities.
Vladimir Putin at the SPIEF’26 plenary session
Youth Day at SPIEF’26
The International Youth Day called "Day of the Future" was held on June 6, 2026 at the Expoforum Exhibition Center on the final day of SPIEF'26, becoming a key platform for young people from 18 to 35 years old, where they could not only learn about development prospects, but also directly participate in shaping the economic agenda.
"Day of the Future" at SPIEF'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. As Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, noted, this day became "an important platform where practical solutions are formed" to train a new generation of leaders capable of ensuring technological development and economic growth of the country, and young people acted not just as a spectator, but as a co-author of the future. Within the framework of the "Day of the Future", more than 30 sessions were held on key thematic blocks: technology (artificial intelligence, robotics, digital transformation), economics and entrepreneurship (startups, platform businesses, investments), personnel and education (prestige of engineering professions, interaction between universities and business), media and communications (transformation of the information space, the influence of bloggers) and international cooperation (global trends, intercultural relations). Key speakers included government officials: Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation Andrey Fursenko, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Matushansky, Deputy Minister of Education Vladimir Zhelonkin, Head of the Federal Treasury Roman Artyukhin, Head of Rosmolodezh Grigory Gurov, as well as business leaders and experts: Kirill Dmitriev, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Evgeny Sluchevsky, CEO of Magnit, and co-founder of "Positive Technologies." Yuri Maksimov, Deccan of the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University Alexander Auzan, Governor of the Tula region Dmitry Milyaev and a young specialist – Ngetobay Rongar, a student of the Financial University, with a report on cybersecurity.
The governor of the Tula region Dmitry Milyaev talks with young people
In addition to discussions, the program included practical formats: business games, open dialogues, interactive sessions for working out economic tasks. Special projects include the Young Market, which brought together about 1,000 young manufacturers from 75 regions, the SPIEF Academy and Tochka Junior for students and teenagers aged 14 to 17, as well as a master class by artist Nikas Safronov. The cultural and entertainment program was complemented by the Petersburg Seasons festival and the performance of the Buranovskiye Babushki with the hit "My Youth". The following regions took an active part in the youth day: delegations from the Kirov region (30 people at master classes on starting a business, preparing resumes for the IT sector and launching international projects), the Tula region (meeting with the governor at the region's stand), the Pskov Region (environmentalist Sergey Elizarov presented his projects) and the Smolensk region (presentation innovative projects). Thus, the "Day of the Future" at SPIEF'26 has become a large-scale platform for involving young people in the economic agenda, combining education, professional navigation, networking and a cultural program.
"Day of the Future" at SPIEF'26
SPIEF’26 is more than just a forum
The XXIX St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has convincingly proved that in the era of tectonic shifts in the global landscape, it has ceased to be just a traditional platform for business negotiations and signing agreements. SPIEF'26 has become a strategic "thought factory", a place where the contours of the future world order are crystallized in a pragmatic dialogue. The business program, which covered macroeconomic trends, technological sovereignty, and social innovations, showed that the Russian economy is not just adapting to challenges, but is also shaping its own sustainable growth agenda based on internal resources and openness to equal partnership.
Signing of an agreement between AVTOVAZ JSC and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU)
The Day of the Future gave a special sound to the forum, a space where young people stopped being passive observers and became full–fledged co-authors of change. This is not a fashion statement, but a conscious investment step: human capital, energy and innovative thinking of the new generation are the main resources 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. SPIEF’26 fixed the continuity of generations as an economic imperative.
Finally, the through–line of all 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 the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tanzania, China, Saudi Arabia, representatives of the United Nations, BRICS, OPEC and APEC showed that a pragmatic dialogue overcomes political barriers. The Forum proved once again that no country is capable of solving the problems of technological gap, climate change or food security alone. Mutual respect, openness to partnership, and a joint search for a balance of interests are the true foundations for a stable future. SPIEF’26 will remain in history as an event where a serious economy gained a human face, young people received the keys to tomorrow, and international cooperation was recognized as an uncontested value.
