Recap of Roscongress International Cooperation Area at SPIEF 2025

ST PETERSBURG, Russia: THE Roscongress International Cooperation Area was held for the first time at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and brought together representatives of the government, business circles, expert communities in Russia and abroad, international organizations, and integration associations in a single place to engage one another in dialogue.

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The Roscongress International Cooperation Area was launched at SPIEF to foster global business and diplomatic engagement.
It hosted 12 themed events and partnered with over a dozen global organisations, including ASEAN-BAC, Invest Saudi, and TV BRICS.
The platform led to 21 cooperation agreements and continues expanding with planned forums in Brazil, Central Asia, and Malaysia.

“This Roscongress International platform was a logical evolution of the Foundation’s international activities and a response to the growing demand for multilateral dialogue, especially in the context of the new architecture that is currently being created for global interaction. We expect this new platform to become a permanent part of SPIEF and to expand to other international events in the future,” Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev said.

The opening ceremony of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area was attended by Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile, Assistant Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tatyana Dovgalenko, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) for Malaysia Nazir Razak, and Chairman of the Russia–Belarus Bilateral Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Didit Ratam.

“Congratulations to the Roscongress Foundation team on the launch of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area. We already discussed how important it is to establish personal connections, meet new people, and communicate in person. The Roscongress International Cooperation Area will become a true window for such interactions. Together with the Foundation under the Roscongress International brand, we co-hosted a joint forum in Jakarta this year. Now KADIN is represented in the Roscongress International Cooperation Area, and at the same time, the Russia – Indonesia Business Dialogue is taking place here at SPIEF with high-level speakers from both countries. I am confident that in the future, we will continue to build on the results of our joint work,” Chairman of the Russia–Belarus Bilateral Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Didit Ratam said during the opening ceremony of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area.

The Roscongress International Cooperation Area combined the stands of Roscongress Foundation’s foreign partners with meeting rooms and a multifunctional hall for presentations, discussions, and the signing of cooperation agreements. Partners of the communication platform were South Africa, who hosted a stand, Saudi Arabia’s nation-wide investment brand Invest Saudi, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC), the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, the Russian Agricultural Bank, and the Association Conoscere Eurasia.

Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) Nazir Razak expressed gratitude to the Roscongress Foundation and highlighted the particular importance of the platform for international business networking among ASEAN countries. “We are eager to enhance long term cooperation with Russia in many areas, including technology, energy, agriculture and education. The Roscongress international platform will facilitate deeper engagement with ASEAN countries and help identify specific opportunities for collaboration,” he said.

The Area also partnered with the TV BRICS international media network, which organized a joint studio for TV BRICS, Roscongress International, and SPIEF at the venue, who produced a series of video commentaries on international cooperation and business collaboration to be distributed abroad in six languages.

During the Forum, the Roscongress International Cooperation Area hosted 12 themed events that included investment presentations, themed discussions, and expert lectures, among others. Presentations were given by Chinese companies from Shaanxi Province, the Burkina Faso Investment Agency, Russian Agricultural Bank, and a roadshow by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia – the ASEAN chairmanship is held by Malaysia this year. The current condition and long-term outlook for international business, investment, economic, cultural, technological, and media cooperation were discussed. The venue hosted a tasting of South African wines and a ceremony presenting commemorative medals and certificates from the Russian President for the International Meeting of Young Central Bank Employees held as part of the World Festival of Youth.

A discussion was held on SPIEF Youth Day about the legacy of the World Festival of Youth and the achievements of the community of young central bank employees, who hail from different countries, and a TED-style Talk was held for SPIEF Academy and Point Junior participants with Roscongress Foundation’s Indian partner, President of the Indian Chamber of International Business Manpreet Singh Nagi.

Also contributing to the Roscongress International Cooperation Area’s exciting programme were the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (CCLAR), the IberAtlantic Global Corporation, the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace, and Development, the Leningrad Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Russia – South Africa Business Council, the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the TV BRICS International Media Network, the Youth Council of the Bank of Russia, and the many experts, government officials, public figures, and representatives of Russian and international business circles who spoke at the venue.

A significant achievement of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area was the signing of 21 cooperation agreements between the Roscongress Foundation and business associations, chambers of commerce, business structures and alliances, educational institutions, public organizations in Russia and abroad, and their associations, and Russian regions.

The new communication platform was developed by Roscongress International. Since day one, the Roscongress Foundation has been establishing contact with partners across the globe. Over the years, it has built close business ties with more than 200 industrial and entrepreneurial associations and financial, trade, and business associations from over 80 countries.

In 2024, Roscongress International held forums in Malaysia and off-site sessions in Türkiye and Thailand. In 2025, business forums were held in Mexico and Indonesia, and a Russia–Qatar forum was held in Moscow. Roscongress International’s calendar of events for the second half of 2025 is no less packed: preparations are currently underway for the Russian-Brazilian Business Forum and the Central Asia International Economic Forum in Dushanbe, with plans in development for a business mission to Oman and a second business forum in Malaysia.

For all the latest news about Roscongress International and its plans and projects, check out the official website.

This article is republished from Roscongress