The 9th annual Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) opened on Tuesday in Vladivostok, welcoming participants from around the world. The EEF is Russia’s major platform aiming to develop the economy of the Far East and expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Around 6,000 guests from 76 countries, including from China, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Serbia and others, are expected to attend the three-day event, according to Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov. The forum’s slogan this year is: ‘Far East 2030. Combining Strengths to Create New Potential’.
A number of events are planned for the EEF’s opening day, including the BRICS Creative Innovation Forum. Participants will discuss, among other things, the digitalization of languages, creative industries, and the development of the gaming industry in the Far East.
On its first day, the forum will host a conference on Russian-Vietnamese relations. The event is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of economic relations between the two countries, according to the EEF website.
Also on Tuesday, the 2nd Falcon Day International Forum will be held on the sidelines of the EEF, where leading world experts are expected to discuss ways of preserving unique wildlife.
The EEF-2024 business program features about 100 events, including discussions on opportunities for Russian small and medium-sized enterprises on the Chinese market, risk and uncertainty in a multipolar world, and international youth policy in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants will also talk about the expanded BRICS, and Russian logistics connectivity, among other topics.
The EEF program separately includes business dialogues between Russian entrepreneurs and partners from China, India, and ASEAN countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the EEF plenary session on September 5 at around 3pm local time (5am GMT). He will be joined by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
In his greetings to the forum participants published on the EEF website, the Russian leader says that the influence of the Asia-Pacific region in international affairs is “growing fast” and new opportunities for productive cooperation are emerging, including within the Eurasian Economic Community, the SCO, and BRICS.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that Russia is open to dialogue with all interested partners in the Asia-Pacific region and is determined to actively interact with others to build a fairer, more democratic system of international relations based on genuine equality, with no place for dictates, strong-arm tactics or sanctions pressure,” Putin stated.