SPIEF 2019 releases extended business program

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Europe

The annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will take place from June 6 to 8 this year, with a key topic of Creating a Sustainable Development Agenda.

The business program for the forum is now available on its official website, which consists of four blocks: The Global Economy in Search of a Balance, The Russian Economy: Achieving National Development Goals, Technologies Shaping the Future, and People First.

"The Forum program is based on a thorough analysis of current trends in the development of all sectors of the global economy…The discussions under the SPIEF business program annually become the key to resolving the most crucial problems of global development," said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation.

Screenshot from the SPIEF website

"The conclusions drawn from the Forum's discussions encourage business and government to take the decisions needed for achieving sustainable development goals," said Kobyakov.

For instance, for the Global Economy in Search of a Balance section, most topical issues of global macroeconomic development, including changes in the structure of the world economy and trade in the era of digitalization, competition and regulation on the consumer market, will be discussed in depth.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speeches during a meeting with Russian and Japanese businessmen at the 2018 in St. Petersburg Russia, May, 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

For the Technologies Shaping the Future session, discussion will be concentrated on the opportunities and challenges brought by the development of technology and digital transformation of the economy. Development of artificial intelligence and cyber threats, digitalization of certain sectors of the economy will also be discussed.

Meanwhile, a number of business dialogues will be held to discuss bilateral economic cooperation between Russian business representatives and participants from Austria, China, Finland, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United States and other countries, said the official website.

Last year, the SPIEF 2018 brought together a growing number of over 17,000 participants from 143 countries. More than 200 heads of major foreign companies and 700 heads of Russian companies attended, according to the website.