UNIDO at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025)
June 23, 2025
One of the largest and most significant business events in the world, the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025), was held in St. Petersburg from 18 to 21 June 2025. In 2025, the Forum brought together more than 10,000 participants from more than 120 countries, becoming a key international platform for discussing global economic trends, the environmental agenda, and technological solutions of the future.
On 18 June, the First International Business Forum of the BRICS+ countries on AI was held on the sidelines of SPIEF 2025, where Igor Kozhin, Head of the UNIDO Centre, spoke. The business forum became a platform for uniting practitioners and leaders who do not limit themselves to theoretical reflections but implement and scale innovative solutions using AI. This significant event was held in the „outreach“ / „BRICS Plus“ format with the participation of developing countries and emerging markets in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, which underscored the commitment of the Russian Federation to the development of global dialogue and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. The forum was held in the format of a round table, which was attended by representatives of key international companies actively engaged in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.
Igor Kozhin’s speech was dedicated to the Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing. In his speech, he emphasized that today, when artificial intelligence is transforming every value chain, UNIDO’s mission is crystal clear: to make AI a tool for the development of industry, SMEs and people — everywhere, and not just in the largest economies. The head of the UNIDO Center spoke about the launch of a joint initiative with the AI Alliance Network — a platform of proven AI practices in the BRICS+ countries, where UNIDO will present successful cases from the Global AI Alliance and the BRICS Competence Center. On June 20, a Plenary Session was held on the sidelines of the Forum with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation, during which the prospects for global economic development, the transition to a low-carbon economy and new formats of international cooperation were considered.
This year, the Business Program of the Forum included more than 150 sessions covering a wide range of topics — from global economic trends and digital transformation to sustainable development, technological leadership and strengthening humanitarian ties. In 2025, the program was structured around five key tracks:
- „World Economy: New Platform for Global Growth“
- „Russian Economy: New Quality of Growth“
- „Man in the New World“
- „Environment for Life“
- „Technology: Striving for Leadership“
As part of SPIEF 2025, the Head of the UNIDO Center held a series of talks with representatives of government agencies, international organizations and businesses. Possible joint projects in the field of introducing clean technologies, modernizing production infrastructure and supporting sustainable industrial growth were discussed.
The participation of the UNIDO Centre in SPIEF 2025 highlighted the organization’s role in shaping a sustainable economic agenda, developing international dialogue and promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
