Flags with the logo of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) fly in front of the State Hermitage Museum on the eve of the forum's opening in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 2, 2026. (REUTERS/Anastasia Barashkova)
Flags with the logo of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) fly in front of the State Hermitage Museum on the eve of the forum's opening in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 2, 2026. (REUTERS/Anastasia Barashkova)

At a press briefing in Moscow, Yuri Ushakov said government officials and politicians from 76 countries will take part in the forum. The Commonwealth of Independent States nations are expected to maintain their traditionally strong presence, he noted.

A US delegation will attend SPIEF for the first time in nearly a decade. According to Ushakov, the delegation will be led by Rodney Cook, head of the US Commission of Fine Arts. Saudi Arabia has been designated the guest country of honor for 2026. Its delegation will be headed by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.

Ushakov said Russian President Vladimir Putin will open the forum on Thursday with a meeting with leaders of international news agencies to discuss key political and economic issues.

The forum's plenary session, scheduled for June 5, will feature a keynote address by President Putin, followed by a discussion and a question-and-answer session.