The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) opened on Wednesday, with Russian officials projecting a large international turnout. Presidential aide Yury Ushakov said at a briefing that "some 20,000 people from over 100 countries" have been registered to participate, as reported by the state news agency TASS. The forum, the 29th edition, runs June 3-6 under the theme "Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future," with Saudi Arabia named as the guest country.

Al Jazeera, which described the annual gathering as the "Russian Davos," reported that some 20,000 guests from more than 130 countries are expected. The outlet said the event opens 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, about 16km (10 miles) from the forum venue, temporarily disrupting city airport operations, according to Al Jazeera, though the conference proceeded as planned.

Coverage

The number of countries represented is described differently in different reports. TASS quoted Ushakov's "over 100 countries" figure, while the same agency, in separate reports on the Roscongress Foundation statement, said representatives of "more than 130 countries and territories" had confirmed participation. Al Jazeera also used the more than 130 figure. The Roscongress Foundation is the organizer of SPIEF and TASS its official general information partner.

The outlets also framed the event differently. TASS focused on international participation and economic cooperation, describing the forum's program as dedicated to "shaping a new model of global development amid the ongoing transformation of the world economy." Al Jazeera, by contrast, depicted SPIEF as "far more than an economic conference for Moscow," calling it a "showcase for the Kremlin's efforts to deepen ties with countries in the Global South" at a time when Western governments and many multinational companies have distanced themselves from Russia.

Key claims

  • The forum's main program is dedicated to shaping a new model of global development, according to TASS, and includes events such as the SME Forum, the Creative Industries Forum, the Day of the Future International Youth Economic Forum, and the Ensuring Drug Security Forum. A cultural program featuring the Petersburg Seasons festival and the SPIEF Sports Games is also planned, per TASS. Russia's state development corporation VEB.RF is the title partner of the forum this year.
  • The US presence is notable. According to a statement by the Roscongress Foundation carried by TASS, US President Donald Trump has sent his representative — Rodney Mims Cook Jr., Chairman of the US Commission on Fine Arts — to attend SPIEF, including a session titled "Russia-US: Dialogue of Cultures." The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham) and the Roscongress Foundation will hold a Russia-US business dialogue to discuss cooperation and potential joint projects.
  • Kirill Dmitriev, Russian presidential special representative for investment and economic cooperation and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), told reporters at the forum that the lineup of participants demonstrates that "globalist policies have completely failed." He argued the forum unites "sovereign countries" ready to move forward on the basis of partnership toward developing their economies, and singled out Global South countries that are "increasing their economic power" and moving toward partnership with Russia. He also predicted that European representatives would attend, with director Merz having "the lowest approval ratings" in the history of German chancellors.
  • Robert Agee, head of the American Chamber of Commerce, told TASS interlocutors on the sidelines that Cook's presence is "a very good signal" of President Trump's desire to improve relations with Russia, adding that "we are very glad that Mr. Cook has come to Russia." Agee clarified, though, that he would not call Cook's visit an official delegation: "He's, he's an official person, but I don't know if the country would want an official delegation." He received permission to come, which "is good," Agee said.

Perspectives

Russian officials: The SPIEF demonstrates that international cooperation continues and that the forum brings together "sovereign countries" ready to develop trade and cooperation. Officials including Yury Ushakov, Kirill Dmitriev and the Roscongress Foundation portrayed the event as existing on a core global platform, with representatives of more than 130 countries and territories taking part.

American business voices: The business dialogue between the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and Roscongress Foundation, on with the visit of Trump's envoy Rodney Cook Jr., is a concrete channel for discussing Russian-American cooperation. Robert Agee framed Cook's attendance as a positive sign of the US president's intent to improve relations, even as he cautioned against calling it a full official delegation.

Al Jazeera: The Gulf-based outlet set the event against the backdrop of war and Russian isolation, noting the Ukrainian drone strikes near St Petersburg on the eve of the event and describing SPIEF as a Kremlin platform to court partners in the Global South at a time of diminished ties with the West.