On June 18, 2025, the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), one of the largest and most prestigious international events in the field of economics and politics, opened in Saint Petersburg. The ceremony began with a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who held a strategic meeting and officially launched the 4-day Forum.
SPIEF 2025 is held from June 18 to 21 and is attended by more than 20,000 guests from 140 countries. The scale and level of representation confirm the Forum's status as a leading global platform for discussing key economic and political issues. The business program includes over 150 events with the participation of heads of states, ministers, chiefs of corporations and international organizations.
The theme of the Forum, "Shared Values: the Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World," reflects the desire for partnership and the search for solutions in the context of global change. On the first day, the business program started with expert discussions, sessions, and meetings with representatives of international organizations.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum confirmed its role as a key platform for discussing sustainable growth and building new formats of international cooperation.
The Forum pays special attention to issues of higher education as a key resource for the sustainable development of any state. Russia continues to be one of the leading destinations for higher education among foreign citizens: today, more than 410,000 foreign citizens from 200 countries study at Russian universities in Russian, English, and French medium programs. International education is considered by Russia as an important part of humanitarian cooperation and global integration.
