International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2024) took place in St. Petersburg

June 13, 2024

From 5 to 8 June, one of the largest and most significant business events, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2024), was held in St. Petersburg.

This year, the Forum was attended by a record number of participants, surpassing similar figures in recent years. Guests and participants of the event gathered to discuss international trade and cooperation, sales markets, technological leadership and investment.

More than 120 high-ranking foreign officials took part in the Forum events: heads of international organizations and associations, foreign ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, heads of foreign cities and regions. The largest delegations came from China — 192 participants, the UAE — 105, Zimbabwe — 86, Kazakhstan — 84, India — 80, Oman — 75.

The Head of the UNIDO Centre in the Russian Federation Mr. Igor Kozhin also took part in the panel sessions of the Forum. On June 5, World Environment Day was held on the sidelines of the SPIEF under the auspices of „Land Restoration, Combating Desertification and Drought Resilience“.

During the forum, issues of ecology and climate change were actively discussed. In addition, the SPIEF became the largest carbon-neutral business event in Russia with confirmed international verification. This became possible thanks to the climate projects of the petrochemical company Sibur, which donated carbon units to offset the Forum’s carbon footprint. Also, during the Forum, much attention was paid to issues of environmental sustainability of industrial production.

The key event of the Forum was the plenary session, at which Russian President Vladimir Putin and heads of foreign states spoke: Bolivia — Luis Alberto Arce Catacora and Zimbabwe — Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.