President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin is delivering an address at the plenary session.

The event has brought together heads of state, government officials, and business leaders from 130 countries. Also attending the plenary session is a delegation of the Parliament of Abkhazia, headed by Speaker Lasha Ashuba.

The theme of this year’s forum is "Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future".

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has been held annually since 1997. Since 2006, it has been conducted under the patronage and with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation.