27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum begins in Russia’s 2nd-largest city

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Wednesday opened its doors in Russia’s second-largest city.

The forum taking place until June 8 under the theme of The Formation of New Centers of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World is hosting over 18,600 participants from 139 countries and regions.

The main business program of the forum is divided into four thematic areas, namely Transition to a Multipolar World Economy, Goals and Objectives of Russia’s New Economic Cycle, Technologies for Leadership, and Healthy Society, Traditional Values and Social Development: The Priority of the State.

Among notable attendees of the forum will include Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Bolivian President Luis Arce and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who Putin will hold bilateral talks with on the sidelines of the forum on June 6, according to the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Oman is taking part in the 27th edition of the forum as a guest country.

“Our country is open to constructive dialogue and interaction with partners and is ready to work together to address the economic, social, scientific and technological challenges of our time,” Putin said in a written note for the forum posted on its website.

He further said that SPIEF has provided an opportunity for politicians, experts, business leaders, academics, and media professionals to hold discussions for more than a quarter of a century.

He went on to express his confidence that this year’s forum will “jump-start new and promising initiatives and projects, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and peoples.”