The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual gathering often described as the 'Russian Davos,' is set to begin with approximately 20,000 guests from over 130 countries expected to attend the three-day event.
This year's forum takes place against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and Russia's prolonged estrangement from much of the West. Hours before delegates arrived, Ukrainian drones struck energy facilities in and around St. Petersburg, temporarily disrupting airport operations, though the conference is proceeding as planned.
SPIEF has evolved into far more than an economic conference for Moscow. As Western governments and multinational companies have distanced themselves from Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the forum has become a showcase for the Kremlin's efforts to deepen ties with countries in the Global South.
The first SPIEF was held in June 1997, during a period when post-Soviet Russia sought foreign investment and closer integration with the global economy. Over nearly three decades, it has become one of Russia's most prominent international events, increasingly serving as a platform for Moscow to present its vision of the global order.
The program combines investment discussions and political debates, with sessions ranging from energy markets and artificial intelligence to information warfare. One panel, featuring Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, is titled: 'Your Words are Like Bullets: How Information Has Transformed into the Most Powerful Weapon of the Modern Era.'
A notable development this year is the presence of an official US delegation, the first such participation at a major Russian investment forum since before the Ukraine war. President Donald Trump appointed Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the US Commission of Fine Arts, as his representative. Cook is expected to participate in a session titled 'Russia-USA: A Cultural Dialogue.'
Other expected attendees include Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and China's Vice President Han Zheng. The guest country this year is Saudi Arabia, represented by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.
The event also attracts a mix of former world leaders and controversial media personalities, including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, actor Steven Seagal, conservative US commentator Candace Owens, and far-right social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate.
SPIEF is one of the most closely monitored events on Russia's political calendar, with President Vladimir Putin almost always attending and delivering the keynote address. In 2022, months after launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin used SPIEF to denounce Western sanctions and argue that efforts to isolate Russia had failed.
Source: www.aljazeera.com