PETERSBURG, (CAJ News) – THE St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 will be held in Russia from June 18 to 21.
It began its business program with the key session “Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth.”
The National Centre “Russia” served as the organiser, with Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, as moderator.
One of the main focal points in the discussion was Africa as a driver of the future economic order.
Chairman of the African Advisory Council François Ndengwe emphasised that demographic growth is transforming Africa into the future cradle of the global workforce.
“This is not just statistics—this is human capital that can become a new driver of global growth. Those who invest in education today and build universities in Africa will tomorrow shape markets and set the game’s rules together with Africa,” noted François Ndengwe.
Speakers at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 session in Russia
According to him, Russia is an example of actively developing educational cooperation with countries on the continent.
“It’s essential to pay attention to education. We look to Russia as an example. We need our own Peter I in Africa to bring enlightenment. Vladimir Putin said that the share of African students in Russian universities will increase. We are very pleased about this. I thank Russia for its contribution to Africa’s education. Those who teach determine the rules and build markets,” emphasised Ndengwe.
In his opening speech, Maxim Oreshkin indicated that this meaning-centred session sets the tone for the entire forum business program.
He said that despite the tense international agenda, it’s important not to lose sight of the fundamental processes shaping the future.
“This year, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is taking place against turbulent world events. This includes the situation in the Middle East and trade wars. Much time will be devoted to this current agenda at the forum. We must not forget which long-term trends and challenges are basic and defining,” Oreshkin said.
Speakers at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 session in Russia
It’s important to conduct an open dialogue about how we build the world of the future, and how to form a new platform for global growth. In which countries does this global growth occur, on which technologies will it be built, and on which principles and cultural code?
Our task is to ensure that forward movement benefits people in all countries that, like Russia, are working on the future. It is through open dialogue that our future and its understanding are built,” emphasised Maxim Oreshkin.
The session “Shaping a New Platform for Global Growth” opened the forum’s official business block and became a platform for presenting the final report on the results of the Open Dialogue at NC “Russia”—an international discussion initiated by Russia in spring 2025. The report was prepared by the Centre for Industry Expertise “Third Rome”—a partner of the NC “Russia.”
The document included analytics and proposals from more than 100 countries and original essays in four areas: investment in people, technologies, connectivity, and environment.
These themes, raised at the opening session, will become cross-cutting for all key forum events—from discussions of market transformation to the formation of new employment models and human capital development.
– CAJ News
