Russian economic forum kicks off in St. Petersburg

By Tuba Ongun

ANKARA (AA) - Focusing on key issues on the global economic agenda, the 26th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) kicked off on Wednesday.

This year's event is being held under the theme, Sovereign Development as the Basis of a Just World: Joining Forces for Future Generations.

The annual gathering brings together business leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, and public figures to discuss key issues in the both Russian and the global economy.

At SPIEF, where this year's guest country will be the UAE, panel discussions, roundtables, thematic business breakfasts, television discussions, bilateral business dialogue activities with foreign partners, meetings with representatives of BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Eurasian Economic Union, and ASEAN, will take place.

The major business event has been held annually since 1997.

Since 2005, it has been held under the auspices and with the participation of the Russian president.