The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the Roscongress Foundation held a joint briefing at the ministry’s press centre for heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Russia from multiple countries. The briefing focused on convention and exhibition events that will be held in the first half of 2026. Representatives of the Roscongress Foundation held presentations about the International Transport and Logistics Forum (1–3 April, St. Petersburg), Caucasus Investment Forum (17–19 May, Mineralnye Vody), and Future Technologies Forum, which will take place next week on 25–26 February in Moscow.
Exhaustive information about the upcoming events was provided during the briefing, including participation requirements for potential participants, forum programme details, and information about foreign guests and delegations. The briefing participants included Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Dmitry Birichevsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Pankin, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Dmitry Zverev, Roscongress Foundation First Deputy CEO, Director of the Foundation’s Eastern Directorate, and Director of the International Transport and Logistics Forum Igor Pavlov, Roscongress Foundation Deputy CEO and Caucasus Investment Forum Director Vladimir Zatynayko, and Roscongress Foundation Deputy CEO for Expertise and Analysis and Future Technologies Forum Director Grigory Velikikh.
Opening the briefing, Dmitry Birichevsky noted the importance of holding major convention and exhibition events in Russia whose programmes reflect key issues and items on the international agenda. The forums bring together guests and participants from numerous countries, promote international dialogue, and encourage the exchange of experience and practices in a changing world.
The first project presented at the briefing was the International Transport and Logistics Forum, which will take place on 1–3 April at Tavrichesky Palace in St. Petersburg. This marks the first time Russia has hosted the event. The Forum is set to become an annual strategic platform and a tool for open dialogue between key players in the global logistics industry amidst the dramatic changes taking place in international logistics.
Igor Pavlov noted: “The Forum will bring together over 1,000 Russian and international participants – ministers of transport, industry, and digital development, representatives of international organizations and major transport and logistics companies, as well as experts and scholars in transport logistics and sustainable development from more than 100 countries, including neighbouring countries, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. To ensure our distinguished guests can work comfortably, the Roscongress Foundation will provide hospitality measures and an extensive programme of events.”
The International Transport and Logistics Forum 2026 business programme will have three main focuses: logistics and transport industries, global connectivity and transport corridors, and digitalization and the future of transport. Approximately 40 expert sessions and two plenary sessions are scheduled. The Forum will also include an exhibition dedicated to national achievements in the transport sector.
The briefing continued with a presentation of the Caucasus Investment Forum (CIF), which will take place on 17–19 May in Mineralnye Vody. Vladimir Zatynayko, the director of the CIF, presented the central theme of the 2026 Forum: ‘Expanding the Horizons of Opportunities’. The Forum will bring together representatives of government, business, and the expert community to work out practical solutions, launch joint projects, and discuss investment opportunities in the region.
“The region offers unique opportunities: well-developed transport and logistics infrastructure with access to the Caspian and Black Seas, renewable energy potential, a resort and recreational complex, high-tech IT clusters, and a competitive agribusiness sector. Special economic zones have been created for investors that offer a range of unprecedented state support measures and investment protection. This is why intensifying international cooperation is a strategic priority for us,” Vladimir Zatynayko said.
The Future Technologies Forum, which will take place on 25–26 February at the World Trade Centre Moscow, was the last forum to be presented at the briefing.
“The Forum will bring together Russian and international scientists, leading research organizations, major manufacturers, technology leaders in the bioeconomy, and key agencies that oversee the implementation of the national project to ensure technological leadership in the bioeconomy sector, whose progress will be given special attention at the Forum,” Grigory Velikikh said.
In accordance with instructions from the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the 4th Future Technologies Forum will focus on the development of the bioeconomy in Russia and the use of biotechnology across all economic sectors. The main theme is ‘Bioeconomy for Humanity’. The Future Technologies Forum will include over 30 thematic sessions and panel discussions featuring over 180 speakers. The plenary sessions will be the main event of the business programme.
This year, the Future Technologies Forum business programme is divided into four thematic pillars: ‘Technologies: Bioevolution’, ‘Humanity: A New Habitat’, ‘Industries: Sustainable Development’, and ‘Ecosystem: Societal Strategy’. The Forum will also present the initial results of projects that have been awarded grants from the Russian Science Foundation in memory of the great Russian scientist Evgeny Velikhov.
In addition, the Forum will feature an exhibition of technological achievements, where major corporations and knowledge-intensive enterprises will present cutting-edge developments and the latest innovative solutions in the bioeconomy.
