What Will the Eastern Economic Forum 2025 Bring?
Author: Jambulat Sardalov, Expert in Politics, Religion, and Terrorism (Chechnya, Russia), Special for “Sangar”
The Eastern Economic Forum 2025 (EEF) is scheduled to take place from September 3 to 6 in Vladivostok. The main theme is “Far East – Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity.” It is worth noting that this is a milestone event—the tenth edition. The organizer is the Roscongress Foundation.
Speaking of Roscongress, it is important to mention that it was established in 2007 to promote the development of the Russian economy and strengthen national interests. By analyzing the current socio-economic situation, Roscongress contributes to the reinforcement of the country’s economy. Participants from 209 countries and over 15,000 media representatives create a dynamic working environment. In addition, more than 5,000 Russian and foreign experts contribute to the preparation of relevant analytical materials. Roscongress cooperates with 212 international partners, industrial groups, financial, trade, and business circles from 86 countries. It also maintains interactions with 293 Russian social organizations, as well as federal and regional executive and legislative authorities. Consequently, for such an organization, no event can be merely “ceremonial.”
Experts generally view the prospects of this major event positively. “Unfortunately, we see that in today’s world, the unfounded political ambitions of some neighboring countries harm business interactions, humanitarian efforts, and scientific activities. But Russia remains open to cooperation. Preferential regimes operate in the Far East. Foreign investors have also become residents of advanced development territories and the free port of Vladivostok. We are now creating a new framework—a multinational advanced development zone—that will provide domestic and foreign partners with mutually beneficial opportunities to strengthen our countries’ economies. Another area of cooperation is the Northern Sea Route, the shortest transport corridor between Europe and the Far East. These and other topics will be discussed at the Forum,” said Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District.
In turn, Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee for the EEF, noted: “The main theme of the upcoming forum reflects the value of equal international dialogue and peaceful coexistence as the foundation for sustainable development. The EEF plays a special role in aligning global economic trends with the socio-economic development objectives of Russia’s Far East.”
Regarding Russia’s increased economic focus on Asia, it should be noted that this is a response to rising tensions (sanctions and political measures) from the Western world. The West has lost more than it gained from the economic war with Russia.
The very fact of holding EEF-2025, and even expanding it, demonstrates that the expected results of sanctions against Russia not only failed to materialize but also resulted in multi-billion-dollar losses for those who imposed them. It is high time for the Western world to realize the harm caused when blind political agendas dictate the terms of the economy. According to Western economic thinking, the economy should reflect politics in a concentrated manner—but not the other way around.
Undoubtedly, for the Central Asian republics, EEF-2025 can serve as an additional resource for developing interregional financial and economic ties. This is especially important amid the global confrontation between the West and Russia. Former Soviet republics and neighboring regions share historically strong bonds of understanding and cooperation. The Forum also has the potential to give an impulse to the development of these countries themselves. By bringing together representatives of various economic, financial, and political sectors, EEF-2025 has established itself as a reliable platform for cooperation and collaboration between countries and regions. This, in turn, indirectly contributes to the stabilization of internal socio-political life.
Asia is not standing aside. Central Asia has shown interest in the Forum. Within business platforms, China, India, Thailand, Myanmar, and ASEAN are already actively participating. Trends toward integration and development are clearly visible in this process.