On 6 June 2026, the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the premier business platform for showcasing Russia’s international economic ties and new trade and investment projects, concluded its work.
In under thirty years, SPIEF has become a global-scale event that sets the tone for the country’s entire economic agenda: visions of the world order are presented here, political ties with foreign nations are forged, major deals are struck, and the most important contracts are signed.
The Forum’s global standing is confirmed by its geography and breadth of representation, with over 24,500 participants from 142 countries attending this year, as well as by its practical orientation, in which concrete decisions are taken, innovative large-scale projects are launched, and investment agreements are signed.
Foreign guests have noted that they come to the Forum “in search of broad opportunities, profitable investments and reliable contacts.”
One of the largest delegations arrived from Saudi Arabia, which holds the status of guest country this year. The Kingdom’s delegation was led by the Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud. The delegation comprises around two hundred representatives of key ministries, banks and the oil corporation Saudi Aramco.
Sizeable delegations arrived from China (around 200), Saudi Arabia (over 180), Tanzania (around 170), Uzbekistan (over 150), the UAE (over 120) and Kazakhstan (over 90).
For the first time in several years, official delegations from the United Kingdom and the European Union attended the Forum, including from Germany, Austria and France. For the first time in a decade, an official United States delegation attended the Forum, led by the Chairman of the United States Commission of Fine Arts, Rodney Mims Cook Jr.
CIS countries and friendly states were represented at their traditionally high level: Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, Yemen, Cameroon, China, Cuba, the UAE and Senegal.
Senior official participants included: President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan; President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev; Vice President of the People’s Republic of China Han Zheng; First Vice-President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Nyo Saw; First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Daniyar Amangeldiev; Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev; President of the Republic of Abkhazia Badra Gunba; Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Jansukh Nanba; Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia Taras Khagba; Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Staša Košarac; Sectoral Vice-President for Planning, Minister of the Popular Power for Planning of Venezuela Ricardo José Menéndez Prieto; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Gia Tuc; Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development of Indonesia Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono; Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga.
Around 130 senior foreign officials participated in the Forum’s work: deputy prime ministers, foreign ministers, attorneys general, heads of international organizations and associations, heads of diplomatic missions, and heads of foreign cities and regions.
On the Russian side, 40 senior officials, 28 heads of federal services and agencies and 78 heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation took part in the Forum’s work.
Over 9,200 representatives of Russian and foreign businesses from more than 4,300 companies participated in events across the Forum’s business programme.
The number of principal executives at the venue exceeded 2,800.
PLENARY SESSION
The Forum’s overarching theme “Pragmatic Dialogue: The Path to a Stable Future” was reflected in the addresses delivered at the plenary session.
The keynote address was delivered by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, in which he set out Russia’s economic priorities and declared that Russia would continue to strengthen its sovereignty and expand its circle of partners.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the race for sovereignty has begun – and is gaining momentum. In these tense and challenging conditions, Russia continues to strengthen its sovereignty – not by isolating itself, but by expanding its circle of partners. Yes, economic momentum is currently subdued, and we will probably discuss that further. But let me remind you of the task set for the Government: starting next year, we must return to sustainable growth rates in the domestic economy,” said Vladimir Putin.
The head of state also noted that Russia holds strong positions in technological sovereignty: “Russia holds strong positions in the pace of adoption of digital platforms, online marketplaces, and financial solutions, as well as municipal services, healthcare and education which improve the quality of life for people in Russia and in dozens of countries around the world, where they successfully compete with their foreign counterparts.”
In his address, the President of Russia touched on Russia’s ability to withstand pressure and placed particular emphasis on the growing role of the BRICS countries in the global economy: “If you look at the global GDP dynamics of the last five years, you will see that almost half of its annual growth, 49 percent, is accounted for by BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called Group of Seven is estimated at 18 percent. Today, the BRICS share of global GDP, measured in purchasing power parity terms, stands at approximately 40 percent, while the corresponding figure for the G7 is below 29 percent. By this measure, BRICS surpassed the G7 as early as 2020, and the gap has continued to widen ever since.”
The President of Russia spoke highly of the Forum as a unique platform for free dialogue and thanked the organizers: “The unrivalled and appealing nature of the St. Petersburg Forum lies precisely in the opportunity to engage in free dialogue on matters that are of interest to entrepreneurs, entire industries, and even entire countries. We remain open to everyone interested in engaging with our country and who is ready to pursue equal and mutually beneficial cooperation. We are convinced that this particular approach where partners hear one another, understand their partners’ interests, and identify common solutions represents a harmonious path of development and makes it possible to respond to the serious challenges facing the modern-day world.”
Addresses were also delivered by foreign guests: President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Vice President of the People’s Republic of China Han Zheng.
BUSINESS PROGRAMME
The SPIEF 2026 business programme centred on the transformation of the global economy under the influence of technology, the transition to sustainable development and the emergence of new financial models. The programme was structured around five tracks, each covering a distinct area of the economic agenda.
The total number of events held across the main business programme and at sector-specific and regional venues exceeded 370.
This year, over 2,000 speakers, experts and moderators took part in sessions, roundtables, business dialogues and TED Talks, among them representatives of government, business, civil society and international organizations.
The business programme was structured around five tracks, each covering a distinct area of the economic agenda.
Discussions in the first track “The Global Economy: Between Confrontation and Cooperation” opened with the macroeconomic session entitled “How to Return to a Trajectory of Sustainable Economic Growth amid Global Uncertainty”. Experts focused on the contours of a new model of economic growth for Russia, structural shifts, labour productivity, the relationship between fiscal and monetary policy, and related themes.
Participants noted that Russian businesses must move towards an aggressive, offensive strategy in third-country markets.
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin noted: “Today, the strength of any country is determined прежде всего by its sovereignty, by its ability to make independent decisions and remain free from external dependence. Entire platforms of sovereign development are beginning to emerge, and Russia’s task is to be among the leaders in implementing such solutions, including in friendly countries. Yet sovereignty alone is not enough if it is not supported by genuine efficiency. No country can call itself truly independent if others achieve results faster and at lower cost. Therefore, our main objective is to strengthen the country’s economy and technological capabilities at the highest possible pace and rapidly introduce advanced innovations.
Sanctions imposed on Russia and other countries in fact demonstrate the weakness rather than the strength of those who introduce them. Such measures are taken by those who are losing ground and attempting to preserve former leadership positions. However, this approach will not allow them to retain that leadership. The global economy is undergoing profound transformation, and centres of growth are shifting to regions where populations are expanding and production is developing most rapidly. The share of BRICS countries in global trade is already approaching one quarter and continues to increase. Business follows demand and growth. Russia is therefore focusing on these fast-growing markets and building new, shorter and more efficient trade routes together with its partners.
The foundation of this growth will be technologies that are now moving to the forefront: artificial intelligence, unmanned and autonomous systems, and digital platforms. These technologies will largely determine a country’s place in the global economy. Genuine sovereignty is impossible without proprietary technologies. Russia possesses every opportunity to become one of the leaders in artificial intelligence, and work in these areas is already under way. It is important for us to create our own solutions rather than remain on the periphery of someone else’s digital world.
Achieving technological leadership is impossible alone. It requires joint efforts by business, government and society, with each contributing in its own sphere. At the same time, technology is not an end in itself but a means to an end. The focus of everything we do must remain on people and their real needs. After all, the strength of any nation lies прежде всего in its people. Our common goal is to ensure that technological progress makes the lives of Russian citizens better.”
Experts concluded that international cooperation remains the only available instrument for managing global challenges, from water and energy resources to financial markets and security institutions. They noted that the global economy of 2026 stands at a point of structural inflection: geopolitical shocks, financial fragmentation and competition for critical resources are dismantling the former architecture of international relations faster than a new one is taking shape.
The countries of the Global South and BRICS are now independently setting the terms of trade, investment and technological partnership. States that are investing today in technological sovereignty, route diversification and alternative financial mechanisms are securing a strategic advantage over a horizon of 10–15 years.
The global majority countries are accelerating the formation of independent settlement, arbitration and trade infrastructure. Participants concluded that multipolarity is already a fact, whilst multilateralism remains a choice requiring political will.
Key conclusions of “The Global Economy: Between Confrontation and Cooperation” track: geopolitics has become an economic variable (the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions and the freezing of reserves have demonstrated that access to resources and markets is now determined not by the availability of funds, but by political decisions); critical resources and food are becoming instruments of influence (the concentration of critical mineral extraction and Africa’s dependence on imported fertilizers and foodstuffs are creating new points of vulnerability; recognition of fertilizers as a humanitarian product and participation in value chains were identified as strategic priorities); alternative financial and trade frameworks are acquiring tangible form (Russia and Belarus conducting 99.1 per cent of settlements in national currencies, as well as the expansion of the EAEU free trade agreement network and discussions around a BRICS grain exchange indicate that de-dollarization has moved from a declaratory phase into practical implementation); technological partnership is replacing traditional export (countries of the Global South are requesting not product deliveries but technology transfer and joint asset creation; Russia is building the export of technological sovereignty as a solution stack, drawing on BRICS+ markets accounting for over 37 per cent of global GDP).
During the discussions included in “The Russian Economy: Structural Changes for Returning to a Growth Trajectory” track, speakers noted that structural changes in the Russian economy require simultaneous progress across three areas: building a sovereign strategic planning system, overcoming demographic contraction and achieving technological leadership in critical sectors.
The Russian economy is at a transitional stage. Growth in labour productivity, a new investment cycle and predictable regulation were identified as necessary conditions for a return to a sustainable growth trajectory.
Key conclusions of “The Russian Economy: Structural Changes for Returning to a Growth Trajectory” track: exhaustion of the previous growth model (growth driven by import substitution and maximum labour force engagement has run its course; the new model requires a foundation of labour productivity, digitalization and private initiative, while maintaining financial stability); regional budget strain as a systemic risk (the consolidated deficit of regional budgets has reached RUB 1.5 trillion, with commercial debt growing by nearly 2.5 times); predictability as the primary condition for investment (businesses identify regulatory predictability as a higher priority than new incentives); long-term capital as an instrument of structural change.
The social agenda of the Forum (third track “The Social Sphere in the Age of New Technologies”) covered a broad range of interconnected themes: corporate demographic policy, financial literacy, the shortage of engineering personnel, the quality of education, and child welfare. A unified conclusion emerged from the sessions of this track: demographic, educational and social challenges are direct economic constraints and require systemic partnership among government, business, universities and the family. Measurable positive shifts are already being recorded: the total fertility rate has risen in 18 regions, the number of pupils sitting the Unified State Examination in physics is growing, and the financial inclusion index has reached 55 points. At the same time, the scale of accumulated imbalances requires the acceleration and replication of instruments that have proven effective.
Key conclusions of “The Social Sphere in the Age of New Technologies” track: demography as an economic factor (the personnel shortage reaches an estimated 3 million people); engineering education and personnel sovereignty (shortfall in engineers over the next seven years will amount to no fewer than 560,000 specialists); financial literacy and long-term capital; partnership between business and government in child welfare.
Participants of the discussions held as part of the fourth track “An Environment to Live In: New Technologies – A New Quality” examined healthcare, the urban environment, cultural heritage and advertising communications as a unified ecosystem in which technological progress is moving from declaration to measurable results. The central thesis of the track was that investment in health, space and culture yields an economic return that is amenable to precise calculation.
Participants noted that technological and urban planning decisions exert a direct impact on demographics, the health of the nation and the country’s economic potential. The shared conclusion of the track was that fragmented measures, whether in the field of AI, nutrition, housing or urban development, do not produce long-term demographic and economic effects. Sustainable results are achieved only through a comprehensive approach.
Key conclusions of “An Environment to Live In: New Technologies – A New Quality” track: AI is already transforming medicine today; low-rise housing must be treated as a demographic instrument (families in individual houses have on average 30 per cent more children than families in flats); healthy nutrition requires a systemic approach; small cities require a new legal framework.
“Technologies Shaping the Future”, the track that represented the technology agenda of the Forum, formed around three interconnected challenges: the rapid growth in energy consumption driven by the spread of artificial intelligence, the need to ensure digital sovereignty amid mounting cyber threats, and the transition from declaratory technology foresight to the systematic assembly of competitive advantages.
Participants, comprising representatives of federal authorities, major corporations, universities and international organizations, concluded that technological leadership requires not isolated investment in specific areas, but the synchronization of infrastructure, regulation, personnel and demand. Speakers highlighted a key point: the technological paradigm shift has already occurred, and Russia is among approximately ten countries possessing sovereign AI models. At the same time, in absolute terms of patent activity and computing capacity, Russia lags significantly behind China and the United States, requiring a systemic response from both government and business.
Key conclusions of “Technologies Shaping the Future” track: AI is reshaping the energy balance (data centre energy consumption is growing at 15 per cent per year. By 2030, Russia’s capacity requirements for AI infrastructure will grow from 1.8 GW to 4.3 GW, requiring investment of around RUB 10 trillion and systemic regulatory changes); technological assembly in place of funding science for its own sake (participants identified a lag in corporate innovation and articulated a demand for the synchronization of corporate demand, university research, and development institutions); cybersecurity: the threat is growing faster than the defences (losses from cyber fraud amounted to RUB 195 billion, with a recovery rate of around one per cent); health and mega-science: infrastructure, not expenditure (a ten per cent reduction in working-age mortality yields a GDP increase of nearly ten per cent over 25 years. Russia is implementing its largest mega-facility programme and from 2026 is incorporating check-ups at healthy longevity medicine centres into the compulsory medical insurance programme).
INTERNATIONAL TRACK
The Forum hosted a series of business dialogues, comprising bilateral and multilateral negotiating sessions with representatives of over 30 states across all major global directions. Participants recorded steady growth in trade turnover across the majority of vectors and noted a transition from declaratory agreements to practical projects. The shared agenda centred on the development of independent payment mechanisms, industrial cooperation and transport connectivity. The central theme of the dialogues was the restoration and reformatting of interaction chains amid the transformation of the global economic architecture.
“Tectonic shifts in the world will only deepen. Those who know how to wait, develop under any conditions, protect their sovereignty and achieve their goals will prevail. The mission of the Roscongress Foundation is to track and analyze these shifts, and to create conditions for those who wish and are able to change the world around them to discuss them, conduct a pragmatic dialogue and chart a path to a stable future,” Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee.
Discussions across the Asian vector (EAEU, ASEAN, India, Thailand) identified shared priorities of negotiations on free trade zone agreements, the development of alternative payment instruments and the expansion of non-commodity exports. Practical outcomes included the announcement of the Second Investment Forum in Bangkok (29–30 October 2026), an invitation to the Russia–ASEAN Summit in Kazan (17–18 June 2026) and the signing of an agreement between the RDIF and the Russia–Thailand Business Council.
On the China direction, Russian-Chinese trade turnover has exceeded USD 200 billion for three consecutive years. Participants recorded a transition from extensive trade to industrial and technological cooperation, with the key growth areas identified as automotive manufacturing, petrochemicals, new energy and radio electronics. The symbol of this transition is the Amur Gas Chemical Complex, a joint SIBUR–Sinopec project with a capacity of 2.7 million tonnes of polymers per year, with first output scheduled for August 2026.
Discussions across the Middle East and Africa directions were united by a shared agenda of building a new polycentric architecture of engagement. The key financial event was the announcement of the completion of the first market placement of a Sukuk in Russia, with a volume of RUB 3.5 billion.
Sessions on the United States, Germany and Latin America were united by the theme of restoring cooperation under conditions of sanctions pressure.
Speakers on the international track recorded the transition of Russia’s external economic relations from emergency restructuring to the systematic construction of a new partnership architecture. Across key directions, namely China, India, ASEAN and the Arab world, steady growth in trade turnover was recorded, accompanied by a shift from commodity trade to industrial cooperation and technological collaboration. Speakers concluded that industrial cooperation is replacing commodity trade; the restoration of Western ties requires time and trust; and an independent financial infrastructure is taking shape. Settlements in national currencies account for up to 98 per cent of direct transactions with India. The EAEU–UAE free trade agreement covers 98 per cent of mutual trade.
The key medium-term objectives identified were the diversification of the trade mix, the removal of financial and logistical barriers, and the training of qualified personnel for foreign economic activity.
On the sidelines of the international track, several events were held:
· The B20 Regional Consultation Forum addressed effective steps for overcoming the challenges and contradictions in the global economy, cooperation between government and business in ensuring sustainable development. The goals and objectives of improving the effectiveness of the international multilateral cooperation system were discussed at the session entitled “A New Course for Global Business: Investment, Innovation, and Open Markets”. Representatives of BRICS countries, the Eurasian Economic Union and other states took part in the discussions.
· SCO Business Forum. During the session entitled “The SCO Marks 25 Years: A New Stage in the Trade, Economic, and Business Agenda” it was noted that the SCO has become one of the key formats of Eurasian engagement and that its economic agenda is acquiring growing significance for Russia and its partner states, with approximately USD 400 billion in foreign trade turnover accounted for by SCO member states. The agenda included discussions on preparations for the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
· BRICS Business Council. The session entitled “New Drivers of Business Partnership within BRICS” was held, where experts from Russia, India, Brazil, China and South Africa discussed effective mechanisms for the development of the association as a whole and of each individual country. They noted that BRICS+ is becoming a global driver of economic development for its member states. Among the principal challenges for trade within BRICS, the need to build secure payment infrastructure and currency risks were identified.
AGREEMENTS
Upon the conclusion of the Forum’s work, 1,127 agreements were signed with a total value of RUB 6 trillion 760 billion 542 million (figures reflect agreements whose value does not constitute a trade secret).
The largest of these were as follows:
· DOM.RF and Sberbank signed a Memorandum on the securitization of the bank’s mortgage loan portfolio in an amount of up to RUB 3 trillion on the DOM.RF platform by the end of 2030.
· RusHydro and VTB Bank signed a memorandum of intent to enter into a syndicated loan agreement of up to RUB 260.5 billion with a term of up to 12 years to finance the energy holding’s investment projects in the Far East.
· The Republic of Tatarstan, TOCHNO Group and DOM.RF Bank signed a strategic partnership agreement for the construction of the Kaderle residential district in Kazan for RUB 250 billion (the district is designed for 27,500 residents making it the largest project in the developer’s portfolio).
· Alfa-Bank and DOM.RF signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of syndicated lending and joint financing of residential construction and infrastructure projects for RUB 200 billion.
· Sberbank and Yuzhny Satellite City signed a letter of intent on the development of strategic cooperation in the implementation of the Yuzhny satellite city project in the Pushkinsky District of St. Petersburg for RUB 192 billion.
· SkyGroup Development signed a strategic agreement with Sberbank and three memoranda of cooperation with the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea for a total investment portfolio exceeding RUB 143 billion, covering the creation of new hotel, sanatorium, resort and tourist complexes across Crimea from the western to the eastern coastline, with a total room stock exceeding 15,000.
REGIONAL INVESTMENT CLIMATE RANKING
The Forum hosted the Presentation of the Results of the Russian Regional Investment Climate Index, which the Agency for Strategic Initiatives compiles annually in conjunction with leading business associations. Regions were assessed across 127 indicators.
First place was shared by Moscow and the Republic of Tatarstan. Second place was taken by the Nizhny Novgorod and Moscow regions. Third place went to the Sakhalin Region, St. Petersburg and the Republic of Bashkortostan.
SPECIALIZED EVENTS
The specialized and thematic events dedicated to international SME cooperation and pharmaceutical security were attended by over 2,500 representatives from 37 countries, including Russia.
SME Forum
Representatives of relevant ministries, sector authorities and the business community took part in the SME Forum. The overarching theme was “The Creative Code of the Economy: A New Recipe for SME Growth.”
The central agenda items were SME acceleration, digitalization, the introduction of artificial intelligence, the commercialization of innovations, support for family businesses, the development of entrepreneurial competencies and the entry of SMEs into new markets. Sessions addressed the adaptation of small and medium-sized enterprises to market changes, the identification of growth points and ensuring sustainable business development under current conditions. Among the principal challenges identified for SME enterprises were contracting demand against a backdrop of rising costs, competition in the labour market and the high cost of credit.
During the SPIEF 2026 plenary session, Vladimir Putin announced a significant concession for small businesses, instructing the Government of the Russian Federation and the State Duma to prepare amendments to defer the reduction of the revenue threshold for VAT liability and to fix it at the current level. “I also propose that we, together with representatives of business associations, consider introducing preferential and more favourable conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector. I believe this will have a positive impact on the creation of a fairer and more competitive business environment,” said the President of the Russian Federation.
Ensuring Drug Security Russian Pharmaceutical Forum
The Forum comprised 17 events dedicated to topical issues of pharmaceutical industry development, the introduction of innovations, intellectual property protection, international cooperation on medicines supply and the advancement of science. Experts noted that national pharmaceutical security is built on successful work across three key areas: ensuring that citizens have access to high-quality, effective and safe medicines; medicines sovereignty; and scientific and technological leadership. Over 1,500 people from 15 countries took part in the event. At the Forum’s plenary session, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko endorsed the initiative to develop a strategic document on pharmaceutical security in Russia.
Creative Industries Forum
The Creative Industries Forum took place on 6 June, the final day of SPIEF. The Forum’s events attracted over 80 speakers and more than 1,000 participants. As usual, the event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation’s socio-creative platform, the Innosocium Foundation.
The Forum’s overarching theme “Contours of the Future: Human and AI in a Culture of Co-Creation” reflects the global trend towards the digital transformation of creative professions and the emergence of a new business model known as ‘AInomics’.
The CIF business programme included 15 dedicated discussion sessions, over half of which were devoted to the development of creative industries at the intersection with artificial intelligence. Experts, representatives of government, technology corporations, media holdings and the creative community discussed the future of film, theatre, game development, animation, and copyright in the era of generative networks. Participants noted that the share of creative industries in Russia’s economy exceeds 4 per cent, which is above the global average, with 5.5 million people employed in the sector.
Day of the Future International Youth Economic Forum
The event was attended by over 7,700 young people from all regions of Russia, comprising entrepreneurs, specialists, students from 365 universities, representatives of scientific and public organizations, and foreign specialists from abroad who came to the Forum as part of the New Generation programme.
The Day of the Future programme covered the key areas defining the development of the economy, society and technology in the coming decades: artificial intelligence, technological leadership, new models of education, youth entrepreneurship and personnel development.
A dedicated track was devoted to international cooperation and the role of young people in shaping a new architecture of global engagement. Participants discussed international education, youth diplomacy, export competencies, negotiation practices, joint projects with the countries of BRICS, the Middle East, Asia and the Global South, as well as the development of economic partnership between Russia and foreign states.
EXHIBITION SPACE
Traditionally, the Forum hosted an expansive exhibition space bringing together constituent entities of the Russian Federation, federal authorities, public organizations and sector associations. Expositions were presented by 27 regions of Russia, including the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Moscow Region, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Republic of Dagestan, Krasnodar Territory, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the joint stand of the regions of the Siberian Federal District.
The exhibition programme showcased a broad range of projects and initiatives, spanning industrial development, transport and tourist infrastructure, digitalization, artificial intelligence, science, education and high-technology manufacturing. The stands featured investment projects, innovative developments and forward-looking solutions in the fields of medicine, robotics, photonics, unmanned technologies and the urban environment.
The exhibition also featured the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Association of All-Terrain Vehicle Manufacturers. The exhibition spaces served as a platform for presenting regional and sector potential, holding business meetings, signing agreements and discussing promising areas of cooperation.
SCIENCE IN FACES
The fifth Science in Faces exhibition opened its season at the SPIEF venue. The exposition featured portraits of 32 Russian scientists whose research and developments have been recognized with distinguished awards in the field of science, as well as participants in meetings with the President of the Russian Federation at the Young Scientists Congress, winners of Russian Science Foundation competitions, and staff of leading Russian scientific organizations and high-technology companies: SIBUR, Sber, and Rosatom.
THEMATIC AREAS
Healthy Life Area
The Healthy Life Area at SPIEF brought together a rich business programme and a large-scale exposition of cutting-edge domestic developments in medicine, biomedical technologies and health preservation. The platform served, as is traditional, as a meeting place for representatives of government authorities, the medical and scientific community, business, opinion leaders and public organizations to discuss topical issues of public health protection and improving the quality of life of the population.
Over the four days of the Forum, 18 panel discussions were held at the Healthy Life Area. The business programme of the area was structured around priorities in the field of healthcare, grounded in the key challenges and opportunities of modern medicine: from the formation of human capital and the transition to preventive medicine to strengthening the family, technological leadership, rehabilitation and the sustainable development of regions. Seventeen cooperation agreements were signed.
For the first time, the Health Navigator project of the RC-Medicine Foundation was presented, a concierge service for personal medical support. Participants were able to undergo express testing directly at the project stand and receive an individual consultation with a preventive medicine specialist.
Soul of Russia Pavilion
Soul of Russia is a multi-format platform for socio-cultural events and a landmark civilizational project showcasing Russia’s cultural heritage in a contemporary interpretation. The project is implemented by the Innosocium Foundation in conjunction with PSB Bank with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
The Soul of Russia Pavilion at SPIEF brought together over 50 works by contemporary authors and Russian brands, ranging from interior objects, textiles and tableware to art installations, inclusive theatres, and regional creative clusters. The exposition generated considerable interest among Forum guests and participants. Among those who visited were Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak and Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud.
The pavilion’s discussion zone attracted over 3,000 participants and 200 speakers. Within the social track, 13 sessions were held here, dedicated to inclusion, the development of non-profit organizations, the preservation of regional identity and philanthropy.
A highlight of the platform was the award ceremony for the winners of the 7th All-Russian Student Competition of Social Projects “Innosocium” across seven categories. The 8th season of the competition set an all-time record for the number of applications: students from 396 educational institutions representing 83 regions of Russia submitted 1,382 unique projects for consideration.
National Brands Space
The Forum featured the National Brands Space, a joint stand of the Roscongress Foundation and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) organized as part of the ‘Buy Russian!’ project, an initiative aimed at supporting and promoting domestic manufacturers and national brands.
This year the stand’s concept was built around the themes of quality of life and technological innovation. The exposition featured brands and products from participants in the ‘Know Our People’ competition, which the Roscongress Foundation and ASI hold with the support of VEB.RF.
Among those represented were around 20 companies producing innovative sleep devices, high-technology clothing, personal care products and supplements, functional nutrition products, and goods for a healthy lifestyle.
Forum participants at the stand had the opportunity to examine product samples, engage with manufacturers and exchange experience.
The stand also featured a technology sleep zone from the brand Deep, where visitors could recharge quickly during the intensive business programme.
Folk Arts and Crafts Space
For the first time at SPIEF, a dedicated exhibition space was opened devoted to traditional handicrafts. ‘Folk Arts and Crafts: Art, Crafts and History’ stand was created by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation with the support of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the State Duma. The Roscongress Foundation served as project operator.
In 2026, declared the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the stand showcased the finest examples of traditional craftsmanship from over 15 enterprises across various regions of the country included in the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation’s register of folk arts and crafts organizations. Among them were the artistic workshops of Fedoskino, Mstyora, Palekh, Zhostovo, Kholuy and Khokhloma, the Veliky Ustyug Northern Niello Plant, the Gus-Khrustalny Crystal Plant, Gzhel, and others. Visitors to the stand were able not only to appreciate the outstanding quality of their products, but also to engage directly with enterprise directors and representatives to establish further cooperation.
Roscongress Junior Studio
The Roscongress Junior Studio is both a successful media project and a unique platform for dialogue with Russia’s future leaders. Over the course of SPIEF, young people aged 12 to 19 produced 20 studio interviews and four reports featuring over 20 guests from Russia and abroad. The subjects of the Junior Studio’s materials included representatives of the Presidential Executive Office and the Government of the Russian Federation, heads of regions, and directors of leading companies and cultural institutions.
Innovation Space
The Roscongress Foundation’s Innovation Space reaffirmed its status as the leading platform bringing together major corporations, development institutions, investment funds and start-ups into an effective ecosystem for supporting technological entrepreneurship in Russia.
For the first time at SPIEF, over 10 projects included in the Innovation Space portfolio were presented simultaneously. Among them were start-ups developing robotic platforms for agricultural and urban applications, business process automation based on RPA and GenAI, and the manufacture of prefabricated steel structures and equipment. All of them were given the opportunity to demonstrate their developments and discuss prospects for further scaling.
The central event of the Innovation Space at SPIEF was the final of the Innovation Marathon, held jointly with the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow and the Moscow Innovation Cluster. The marathon was designed to select the best technological solutions for specific challenges facing large businesses. Over 500 applications were submitted from 46 regions of Russia, with 86 technology companies presenting their solutions to prospective clients.
As in the previous year, the Standoff AI cyber battle attracted considerable interest from Forum guests. Held at the Positive Technologies stand within the Innovation Space, the event gave visitors a first-hand view of AI capabilities in the field of cybersecurity: one AI agent attacked digital replicas of oil and gas industry sectors and companies, while another analyzed the situation, identified vulnerabilities and sought to prevent or minimize the impact of the attack. The company also presented the Positive Labs laboratory featuring innovative technologies for assessing the security of various devices.
Roscongress Club
Over three days, the closed club for business development, social partnership and the implementation of large-scale projects hosted 80 meetings attended by around 250 people, including 24 holders of exclusive Roscongress Club cards, which provide a wide range of benefits both at the venues of the Roscongress Foundation’s major forums and beyond.
Twelve events were also held in the format of business sessions, business breakfasts and signings.
Governors’ Club
2026 was a landmark year for the Governors’ Club: the platform created for business meetings and informal engagement among the heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation marked its 10th anniversary at SPIEF.
Over the first three days of the Forum, 112 business meetings were held here. Over 20 agreements were signed, aimed at regional development and the strengthening of investment, economic and social potential. The platform was visited by the principal executives of 34 constituent entities of Russia, the heads of over 10 official foreign delegations, and prominent figures from science, culture and sport.
VinoGrad
Another anniversary was celebrated at SPIEF at the VinoGrad platform dedicated to viticulture and winemaking: in 2026 it marked its fifth year. Over 40 leading wine-producing enterprises presented the finest examples of their products. Nine events were also held here, including masterclasses from such industry leaders as Abrau-Durso, Alma Valley, Zolotaya Balka, Olympic Winery, Derbent Vino, Vedernikov and Simple. A celebration of World Exhibition Day took place with the support of the National Congress Bureau and the All-Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs.
Roscongress Partners’ Lounge
Nine meetings were held at the Roscongress Partners’ Lounge, attended by heads of regions, representatives of federal authorities and major businesses.
Business Networking Platform
The Business Networking Platform is traditionally one of the most popular venues among SPIEF visitors. The Roscongress Foundation provides all Forum participants with a unique service for arranging meetings in a purpose-equipped negotiating space free of charge. Over the course of SPIEF, 300 meetings were held here with the participation of over 120 Russian and foreign senior officials. 23 agreements were signed during the platform’s operation.
Roscongress Urban Hub
Seventeen events were held at the Roscongress Urban Hub, a platform dedicated to advancing research and business cooperation in the field of urban development. The overarching theme of this year was “The Evolution of Cities”. Around 100 speakers and nearly 700 attendees took part in the programme’s sessions. Discussions covered such topics as the evolution of cities and the economics of tourist destinations, engineering infrastructure and low-rise construction, Islamic finance in property development, as well as digital transformation and AI. Special sessions of Urban Mag magazine and the Future Technologies Forum were also held.
Roscongress International Cooperation Area
The Roscongress International Cooperation Area operated in pavilion E.
The partners of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area at SPIEF 2026 were: the Russia–ASEAN Business Council; the Russia–Thailand Business Council; the TV BRICS International Media Network; and the collective stand of Tanzanian business organizations, including the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB), the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) and Air Tanzania.
The infrastructure of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area included partner stands, meeting rooms, an open lounge area, a presentation events platform, and the TV BRICS studio.
The Roscongress International Cooperation Area established itself as an effective platform for dialogue between representatives of government bodies, business circles and expert communities from Russia and foreign states, as well as international organizations and integration associations.
The key outcomes of its four days of operation were as follows:
· 18 business events with representatives of over 15 states, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, India, Tanzania, Mauritania, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Germany, the United States, and others;
· over 100 business meetings and negotiations;
· over 30 signed cooperation agreements with business associations, regions of Russia and international partners, including an agreement between the Roscongress Foundation and the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), signed at the Russia–Tanzania Business Dialogue in the presence of President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan;
· over 25 interviews in the TV BRICS studio with senior officials participating in SPIEF.
The Roscongress International Cooperation Area served as the centre of the international SME agenda, hosting a meeting of entrepreneurs from Russia, the UAE, China, India, Côte d’Ivoire, and Brazil with negotiations across six key sectors. The platform also launched two tours of the SPIEF exhibition stands, including one for foreign SMEs and one with the participation of UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri.
The Roscongress International Cooperation Area at SPIEF 2026 was visited by representatives of government bodies, international organizations, and business circles, including: Allan Majuru, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Export Development and Promotion Agency (ZimTrade); Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development of Zimbabwe; July Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development of Zimbabwe; Chen Xu, APEC 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting Chair; Haitham Al-Ghais, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat; Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF); Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Abdallahi Souleymane Cheikh-Sidia, Minister of Economy and Development of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania; Park Jong-ho, President of the Korea–Russia Business Council; Altangunii Jargalan, Director of the Mongolian Economic Forum; and many others.
The key event of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area’s business programme was a meeting between the Roscongress Foundation’s leadership and regional partners, at which the Roscongress International Cooperation Area and a new initiative were presented: the Roscongress International Partners Community, aimed at transforming the network of 239 partners across 90 countries into a dynamic community built on trust and mutual benefit.
The Roscongress Foundation’s international partners made a particular contribution to shaping a vibrant and rich cultural programme at SPIEF 2026. On Palace Square, a performance was given by the TV BRICS International Symphony Orchestra under the artistic direction of Mikhail Golikov, organized by the TV BRICS International Media Network to mark the 20th anniversary of the BRICS association. During the concert, the orchestra accompanied Italian opera singer Alessandro Safina, whose performance was organized by the Conoscere Eurasia Association.
Point Junior
A community of proactive, strategically minded teenagers aged 14 to 17 created an integrated communications environment across the country’s key discussion platforms. Since 2021, the project has provided young people with the opportunity to take an active part in major business events and to discuss issues of concern to them with opinion leaders, business figures and politicians.
SPIEF Academy
The project brought together talented students and leading Russian corporations to develop the leaders of the future and strengthen the personnel potential of participating companies. The project’s audience comprised students aged 18 to 23 from leading Russian universities, company executives, government figures and opinion leaders from the media sphere. Selected participants of the SPIEF Academy underwent a year of training in applied competencies as well as practical skills, and took part in a group and personal mentorship programme focused on the current needs of partner companies. The concluding stage of the training was participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum with a dedicated business programme, setting up internships at partner companies, and integration into corporate accelerators for participants with innovative projects.
Interactive Map of Russia’s Regions
A unique installation, the Interactive Map of Russia’s Regions, was presented at the Forum venue. This is a joint project of the Roscongress Foundation’s MARMA key technologies lab and Chuvash Republic, bringing together a cultural heritage object – the Embroidered Map of Russia – and interactive technology. This masterpiece of digital and decorative applied art revealed the distinctive character and economic, cultural and tourist potential of each of Russia’s 89 regions.
‘Kind SPIEF’
For the first time during the Forum, the Roscongress Foundation and the Dobro.rf social development ecosystem presented a new business initiative bringing together business and social initiatives: the ‘Kind SPIEF’ campaign. The new format united 45 social projects from laureates and winners of the #WEARETOGETHER International Award. Forty-seven organizations have already expressed their readiness to contribute, with 19 partnership pairs established. The total volume of support for non-profit organizations from the Forum’s business participants under the ‘Kind SPIEF’ campaign will amount to around RUB 124 million.
Russian Troika
For the first time at the SPIEF venue, the Russian troika was presented, recognized in 2026 as a national sport of Russia. During the Forum, the All-Russian Russian Troika Federation was presented, established to develop the new sport, build a competition system and train athletes. A special exposition was also organized dedicated to the history and contemporary development of the Russian troika as one of the symbols of Russia’s cultural and historical heritage.
ANALYTICAL AND EXPERT SUPPORT FOR SPIEF 2026
The analytical and expert support for the Forum this year draws on many years of experience and a consistent process of digital transformation. The Roscongress Foundation’s Information and Analytical System presented a qualitatively new stage in the development of its flagship toolkit. At the core of the SPIEF 2026 analytical framework is the enhanced Summary intelligent service, which has demonstrated its effectiveness at major business platforms for a number of years. As part of its systematic modernization, the generation of concise discussion summaries capturing key conclusions, barriers and solutions has been automated. The introduction of new technological solutions made it possible to generate visual ‘meaning clouds’ and cards featuring speakers’ key quotes in real time.
All operational materials and express analytics were prepared on the basis of the advanced AI technology InForum.
The principal concluding document of the Forum will be the comprehensive report entitled ‘Recap of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026’. The electronic version of the study will be available for download on the ROSCONGRESS.RU Information and Analytical System.
Intellectual Partnership Framework
The analytical support for SPIEF 2026 brought together the country’s leading academic and educational centres. The expert group comprised leading specialists from Lomonosov Moscow State University, the HSE University, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, the North-West Institute of Management of RANEPA, the Far Eastern Federal University, the Institute for Regional Economic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Directorate of Scientific and Technical Programmes.
In preparation for the Forum, experts of the Roscongress Foundation and its partners published a series of exclusive comprehensive studies on the most sensitive tracks of the agenda: ‘The Housing of the Future and the Future of Housing’, an expert analytical report with a long-term ten-year forecast for the development of the housing sector and urban planning in Russia; ‘The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: SPIEF 2026 Guest Country’, a comprehensive analysis of the Kingdom’s socioeconomic trajectory and the strategic vectors of Russian-Saudi cooperation; and an analytical materials digest serving as a cross-cutting navigator across the key studies of the current agenda.
Sociological Monitoring
An important component of the SPIEF 2026 analytics was the continuous sociological monitoring conducted by the Roscongress Foundation jointly with the VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center). This year’s research focus was directed at the express monitoring of Forum participants’ views on the most pressing issues of the global and domestic agenda, as well as the assessment of the platform’s effectiveness and the quality of business contacts.
SPORTS PROGRAMME
SPIEF reinforced its significance as a platform for advancing the interests of Russian sport.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev, and Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Mikhail Kotyukov launched the invitation campaign for the International Sports Forum ‘Russia: Country of Sports’ to be held in Krasnoyarsk.
For the first time, a sports cluster operated within the Forum’s exhibition, comprising stands from the House of Sport (Ministry of Sport of Russia), International Sports Forum ‘Russia: Country of Sports’, Fonbet – Kontinental Hockey League, the All-Russian Athletics Federation, and the Russian Deaflympic Committee.
The sports sessions of the Forum’s business programme were attended by heads of sports authorities and Olympic committees of Serbia, Tajikistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Seychelles, as well as the President of the World Ethnosport Confederation Bilal Necmeddin Erdogan, who spoke out about the undemocratic nature of the IOC and the need for change in the Olympic system.
The role of business in the development of sport was recognized at the Champion sports and business award.
The SPIEF 2026 Sport Games programme brought together over 20 events across 16 sports. The key event was the international multi-stage cycling race Ladoga Gold, whose programme was significantly expanded. Alongside leading professionals, amateur and corporate teams took to the start line, and para-cyclists participated in the multi-stage race for the first time.
Forum participants competed in Roscongress Cup tournaments and gala matches in hockey, basketball, football, padel, golf, chess, table tennis, and other sports. Participants included Governor of Astrakhan Region Igor Babushkin, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov, Governor of Kaliningrad Region Alexei Besprozvannyh, Governor of Altai Territory Viktor Tomenko, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Correspondence from Citizens and Organisations Alexei Mikheyev, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Alexander Belsky, and other Forum participants.
For the first time, the Games were joined by two-time Stanley Cup winner Mikhail Sergachev, FC Dynamo Moscow and Russian national football team player Konstantin Tyukavhin, and two-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion Igor Larionov.
The traditional ‘Fight and Win’ race attracted a record number of participants, with 2,500 runners taking to the start line.
The spectacle of the sports programme was significantly enhanced. For the first time at SPIEF, the renowned Petrovsky Rowing Marathon and bare-knuckle boxing TOP DOG tournament were held. The traditional equestrian tournament, the Roscongress Cup / SPIEF 2026 Cup, was held in the Grand Prix Freestyle format.
The partners of the SPIEF Sport Games were Fonbet, SberInsurance, Deppa, and FC Dynamo Moscow.
The Forum’s sports agenda was shaped by the Roscongress sports platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport of Russia.
ST. PETERSBURG SEASONS SPIEF FESTIVAL OF CULTURE
The St. Petersburg Seasons SPIEF Festival of Culture has already become a hallmark of SPIEF. Throughout the Forum museums, theatres, and the celebrated palaces of St. Petersburg’s suburbs were open to participants, with a variety of guided tours on offer.
The festival programme was directed at promoting Russia’s cultural heritage, developing humanitarian cooperation and strengthening international cultural dialogue.
The centrepiece of the festival was the ‘In the Rhythm of Summer’ concert for the residents and guests of St. Petersburg on Palace Square on 5 June, featuring the TV BRICS International Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Golikov, Alessandro Safina (Italy), singer Jasmin, and the popular duo Artik & Asti.
The festival programme also included the Inter-Union concert Music of the Theatre, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers of Russia, held on the historic stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, and the opera ‘Tamerlano’ on the new stage of the Theatre.
PARTNERS
The Title Partners of the Forum were VEB.RF and Rosatom. Sber was awarded GigaPartner status. The Strategic Partner of the Forum was Rosseti, while RWB served as the Strategic Promotion Partner. The National Partner of the Forum was AVTOVAZ. The General Partners of the Forum were Gazprom, Gazprombank, Gazprom Neft, the Mir payment system, NOVATEK, OTP Bank, and PSB Bank. VTB Bank served as the General Sponsor of the Forum. HONGQI was the Official Car of the Forum, and Aeroflot was the Official Airline of the Forum.
MEDIA PARTNERS
Gazprom-Media Holding served as the General Media Partner of the Forum. Rossiya 24 television channel served as the General TV Partner, RT as the General International News Partner, MIC Izvestia as the General Multimedia Partner, RBC as the General Business News Partner, and Gazeta.ru and Lenta.ru as the General Internet Partners. TASS and RIA Novosti served as the General News Partners of the Forum. Media Partners of the Forum were NTV, the 360 TV Channel, Interfax, Business FM, Kommersant
Source: SPIEF
