Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to address the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which in 2024 is being held under the theme “The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World”. The event is scheduled to begin after 14:00 Moscow time.
According to Yuri Ushakov, the Presidential Aide for International Affairs, Putin will outline his vision of the current global economic and political situation, assess the challenges facing international trade and financial systems, and evaluate the state of the domestic economy, particularly in the context of the special military operation.
Putin will also discuss the country’s long-term development strategy, touching on national, industrial, and technological projects, issues of digitalization, private business, and the stimulation of scientific and technological progress. Following his speech, he will pass the floor to the Presidents of Bolivia and Zimbabwe, Luis Alberto Arce and Emmerson Mnangagwa, who are also attending the event.
In the latter part of the plenary session, the leaders will participate in a discussion and answer numerous questions on international issues, including those related to the Ukrainian crisis.
The president is also scheduled to meet with members of the all-Russian public organization “Women of Business,” which represents women entrepreneurs from various regions of Russia. This meeting will conclude Putin's three-day program at the forum.
Presidential Events at SPIEF
Putin arrived in St. Petersburg on Tuesday evening and held a meeting with government members via video link from there. On Wednesday, known as the "zero day" of SPIEF, he had a traditional meeting with the heads of world news agencies, organized by TASS. This meeting lasted over three hours and covered a wide range of international topics, including relations with the West, potential solutions to the Palestinian issue, the Iranian nuclear deal, and the situation in Ukraine.
Thursday was dedicated to international contacts, during which Putin held talks with the Presidents of Bolivia, Luis Alberto Arce, Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Milorad Dodik, as well as the head of the BRICS New Development Bank, Dilma Rousseff.
About the Forum
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum takes place from June 5 to 8. The forum’s agenda includes meetings of SMEs, creative business events, SPIEF Youth Day, and forums on "Drug Safety," "SPIEF Academy," and "SPIEF Junior," organized by the Roscongress Foundation.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS