On “zero day”, guests and participants of the event were greeted by Sergey Voronkov, General Director of ExpoForum International: “This year, the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is timed to coincide with the Global Exhibition Day (GED). This is a significant event, on which I sincerely congratulate all of you! I wish you the revival of the congress and exhibition life, success and health!”

Over the past year, an event of such a level as the SPIEF is held in face-to-face format for the first time. Some attendees shall join the meetings online. The main theme is “Together again. Economics of the New Reality.” The business program is divided into four topical units: “Uniting efforts for the sake of development”, “National development goals: from objectives to results”, “Technologies expanding horizons” and “Man in a new reality. Responding to global challenges”. The forum program includes over 130 expert discussions. For the first time, the youth section SPIEF Junior shall take place, in which 200 Russian schoolchildren and 100 schoolchildren from Qatar shall take part. 

On the sidelines of the SPIEF, dialogues between representatives of the business communities of China, Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy shall take place. Qatar has the status of a guest country, the delegation of which has become one of the most numerous in the history of the country's participation in international economic forums: representatives of 50 Qatari organizations have arrived.

During the event, the results of the National rating of the state of the investment climate in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are traditionally presented. Participants shall discuss the launch of a new investment cycle, which the Russian government is developing in 2021 together with business and expert associations.

For the forum guests, not only all conditions have been created for productive work, establishment and development of business contacts, but also a cultural and sports-entertainment program has been organized: from excursions and yachting to judo competitions.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has been held since 1997, and since 2006 it has been held under the patronage and with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin shall speak in person at the plenary session on June 4. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Chancellor, and Reza Ardakanian, Iranian Minister of Energy, shall also take part in the forum via videoconference.

The SPIEF 2021 was organized with strict adherence to safety measures to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which were carefully worked out by the Organizing Committee, taking into account the WHO requirements. The Forum shall take place at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Complex up to June 5 inclusive.