Held under the patronage of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the forum brings together representatives from 137 countries and territories, along with leaders of major international organizations, companies, government agencies, and experts.

Egypt will participate with a delegation of officials and business leaders to explore trade, investment, logistics, industry, and tourism opportunities.

The forum has increasingly served as a venue for dialogue and cooperation between Russia and Egypt, offering space for signing agreements, initiating projects, and coordinating shared interests.

Organized by the Roscongress Foundation, SPIEF has grown into a significant global platform for economic dialogue, particularly among countries of the Global South, whose contributions to the global economy are expanding.

This year’s forum features 150 sessions and attracts strong interest from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Key discussion areas include economic growth, technological leadership, sustainable development, demographic trends, and the digital transition.

The agenda is organized under themes such as Development Economics: Ensuring Growth, Technology: The Striving for Leadership, and The Individual in a New World.

In a welcome message published on the Kremlin’s website, President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to a multipolar world based on sovereignty, cultural identity, and equality in international relations.

He expressed confidence that SPIEF discussions would yield practical solutions to global challenges.

Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to the president and executive secretary of the forum’s organizing committee, said that this year’s SPIEF is not only a platform for dialogue but a place where new ideas and solutions emerge in response to a fast-changing global environment.

He noted that the scale and diversity of participation reflect a growing global interest in shared values and constructive cooperation.

Russia–Egypt relations in focus
 

Egypt’s participation reflects its status as a key Russian partner in Africa and the Middle East.

Trade between the two countries accounts for roughly one-third of Russia’s total trade with Africa, and a special session at this year’s forum will focus on strengthening cooperation with African nations.

Bilateral ties are coordinated through the Egyptian–Russian Joint Committee for Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, facilitating collaboration across production and service sectors.

Over the years, SPIEF has been a consistent venue for advancing joint projects.

At the 2019 forum, Roscongress signed a cooperation agreement with the Egyptian Exporters Association (Expolink) to promote trade and expand participation in international exhibitions.

Egypt was the guest country at SPIEF in 2022, helping to accelerate cooperation on major infrastructure and development projects, including the Dabaa nuclear power plant, the Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal region, and railway modernization with Russian involvement.

Discussions also focused on logistics corridors connecting Russia, Egypt, and East Africa.

In 2023, SPIEF addressed deepening cooperation between Russia and the Middle East, including tourism, financial settlements, and trade missions.

The 2024 forum expanded on these themes, particularly concerning financial transactions in local currencies and the agro-industrial sector.

Last year, trade between Russia and Egypt reached a record high of over $9 billion.

Russia remains Egypt’s primary supplier of wheat and is constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant at Dabaa—a project widely seen as a symbol of strategic partnership. Moscow also plans to establish a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Special Economic Zone.

Around 400 Russian companies operate in Egypt or sell their products there today. Egyptian agricultural goods and textiles have also gained a growing foothold in Russian markets.