In Photos: Promoting a ‘Multipolar’ World at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
Once dubbed the “Russian Davos,” the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) once attracted top Western business leaders and policymakers, serving as a platform for major deals like the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Since 2022, the forum’s lineup has reflected Moscow’s pivot toward countries in Asia and Africa amid its isolation from the West.
Some 20,000 guests from 140 countries were expected to attend the forum in person and online, the Kremlin said this week.
Among the around 50 countries sending government officials to SPIEF 2025 were China, Vietnam, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso. Taliban officials also arrived from Afghanistan on Wednesday.
In a written message to SPIEF guests earlier this week, Putin said the 2025 forum would focus on “technology and digital transformation as key drivers of leadership in the modern world,” along with issues like demographics, science and education, labor productivity and social protection.
Since 2022, the forum’s lineup has reflected Moscow’s pivot toward countries in Asia and Africa amid its isolation from the West.
Some 20,000 guests from 140 countries were expected to attend the forum in person and online, the Kremlin said this week.
Among the around 50 countries sending government officials to SPIEF 2025 were China, Vietnam, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso. Taliban officials also arrived from Afghanistan on Wednesday.
In a written message to SPIEF guests earlier this week, Putin said the 2025 forum would focus on “technology and digital transformation as key drivers of leadership in the modern world,” along with issues like demographics, science and education, labor productivity and social protection.
Outside the exhibition hall at SPIEF.
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress Photobank
Putin at the plenary session of the 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Sergei Shinov / Roscongress Photobank
The SPIEF plenary session was moderated by Lebanese journalist Nadim Koteich and featured a panel of political leaders that, besides Putin, included Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Bahraini royal Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
Vyacheslav Viktorov / Roscongress Photobank
A man takes a photo of a flower “victory” medal in front of the Soviet flag.
Oleg Barkhanov / Roscongress Photobank
Putin's alleged daughter Maria Vorontsova at SPIEF.
Murad Bagandov / Roscongress Photobank
Taliban delegation members look at a model of St. Petersburg.
Sergei Silver / Roscongress Photobank
Taliban delegation members at SPIEF.
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress Photobank
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress Photobank
Arina Antonova / Roscongress Photobank
Forum participants.
Artyom Pryakhin / Roscongress Photobank
Participants use model construction vehicles at SPIEF 2025.
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress Photobank
The Roscongress hockey cup.
Anna Gorban / Roscongress Photobank
Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, now head of the G.O.R.K.I. Center at St. Petersburg University, at SPIEF.
Artyom Pryakhin / Roscongress Photobank
Yulia Egorova / Roscongress Photobank
The Mad Hatter at SPIEF 2025.
Yulia Egorova / Roscongress Photobank
Yulia Egorova / Roscongress Photobank
A portrait of Vladimir Putin at SPIEF 2025.
Artyom Pryakhin / Roscongress Photobank
Former Russian presidential candidate and State Duma Vice Speaker Vladislav Davankov.
Evgeniy Luchinsky / Roscongress Photobank
Stepan Pugachev / Roscongress Photobank
Yulia Egorova / Roscongress Photobank
The Russian Season catwalk show by Russian designers VinoGrad.
Alexei Aleksandronok / Roscongress Photobank
Yulia Egorova / Roscongress Photobank
Matryoshka dolls emblazoned with the pro-war Z and V symbols at the St. Petersburg ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Center.
Artyom Pryakhin / Roscongress Photobank
A participant of the forum.
Sergei Silver / Roscongress Photobank
Elena Ignatyeva / Roscongress Photobank
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Sergei Mikhaylichenko / Roscongress Photobank
Artyom Pryakhin / Roscongress Photobank
Viktoria Lamzina / Roscongress Photobank
Valentina Pevtsova / Roscongress Photobank
Anatoly Strebelev / Roscongress Photobank
