The venue of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Photo: Courtesy of the Roscongress Foundation

This year the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will be held from June 5 to 8. Together with specialized federal services, the city is preparing for the event in accordance with the Action Plan approved by Governor Alexander Beglov.

“SPIEF is one of the brightest brands of our city, known all over the world. Despite all external constraints, its popularity is only growing every year. A total of 17,000 people from 130 countries took part in SPIEF 2023. I am convinced that this year’s geography of participants will be equally extensive, and St. Petersburg will demonstrate its traditionally high level of hospitality,” said Alexander Beglov. 

In the Northern Capital, the territories adjacent to the main event venues and traffic routes for SPIEF participants are being upgraded. More than 250,000 annual flower plants, 5,000 shrubs, about 70 trees will be planted in the Moscow and Pushkin districts, and more than 1,500 hanging flower arrangements will be installed.

City infrastructure improvements are underway, and routes for participants travelling to key event venues are being worked out. The current scheduled repair of motorways along the route of SPIEF participants will be completed by the end of May. Together with Rospotrebnadzor, the issues of ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological safety of Forum participants and guests are being addressed. 

The program of cultural and sporting events is currently being approved by the SPIEF Organizing Committee. Traditionally, events are planned not only for Forum participants, but also for residents and guests of the city. A concert featuring popular Russian pop artists will be held on Palace Square as part of the St. Petersburg Seasons project. For a second time during SPIEF, the international multi-day cycling race “Ladoga Gold” will be held.

The exhibition and business zone of St. Petersburg at SPIEF, as in previous years, will occupy 1,700 square meters. The business program of the city is being actively formed and will be approved by May 20. 

This week the Roscongress Foundation presented the architecture of the SPIEF 2024 business program. The main theme of the Forum is “The Formation of New Centres of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World.” The theme is articulated through four thematic blocks of the federal program, which this year includes two events from St. Petersburg.

According to Alexander Beglov, the panel discussion entitled “Let’s All Go to the Park?! Strategies and Practices for Success in Creative Sustainable Cities” will be held within the track “A Healthy Society, Traditional Values and Social Development: The Priority of the State.”

“We will discuss the issues of managing urban spaces, attracting investment, creating conditions for sustainable economic growth and improving life in cities,” he added.

Another St. Petersburg event is the business session ‘‘International Promotion. Development of New Tourist Offers and Products.’’ It will be held as part of the thematic block ‘‘Goals and Objectives of Russia’s New Economic Cycle.’’ 

At the previous SPIEF 2023, St. Petersburg concluded 62 agreements totaling 661 billion ruble. “We are counting on new major contracts this year as well,” the governor emphasized.

The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of nationwide and international conventions; exhibitions; and business, public, youth, sporting, and cultural events. It was established in pursuance of a decision by the President of the Russian Federation.