SPIEF Provides Optimistic Debate on Development Opportunities

June 15, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), whose theme is “Sovereign Development as the Foundation for a Just World,” held the second day of its June 14-17 annual conference today, welcoming enthusiastic participants anxious to discuss the development-oriented topics of the many scheduled seminars.

President Vladimir Putin will address SPIEF’s plenary session tomorrow, reported by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to be “lengthy,” followed by a discussion period. The plenary will be entirely consumed by the remarks and dialogue with President Putin and his guest, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, with Dmitri Simes as the moderator.

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalall commented to Sputnik on the high level of participation—18,000 guests from 34 countries. “It is impossible not to note the variety of discussion panels and important topics that are discussed here,” he said. “SPIEF is not only an economic platform, but also a political one ... there is a closer and more direct building and establishment of economic partnership and strengthening of trade relations between countries; the most acute and important economic issues are being resolved.... This forum is important, very effective, and has a practical component in resolving a number of paramount international economic issues.”

There is a stunning array and diversity of seminar topics for discussion. Today, they included such titles as “Global Challenges as Opportunities for International Cooperation”; “De-Dollarization: The Future of Money”; “Integration in the Name of Development: Practical Aspects of Cooperation under the SCO”; “Northern Sea Route: New Challenges;” “The North-South International Transport Corridor: Fostering Cooperation.”

The last topic is of particular interest to Iran, which has a major role in the INSTC. According to Tasnim news agency, Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash, who is participating in SPIEF, reported upon arrival in Russia that the completion of the INSTC, which will extend from St. Petersburg and Moscow, via Iran, to Mumbai, will be put at the top of the agenda for negotiations. “We are pursuing and agreeing in the field of international corridors and all transportation sectors with a focus on the INSTC.” Extended talks with Russian officials on this topic are scheduled.