Opening Economic Gates through the Eastern Economic Forum
Located more than 6,000 kilometres from Moscow, Vladivostok faces the Pacific Ocean from a Russian territory that is geographically much closer to China and the Korean Peninsula than the country’s political centre. The port city serves as one of the primary gateways to the Russian Far East, a vast region covering approximately 40 per cent of the country, yet inhabited by fewer than 8 million people.
For Moscow, developing this vast, sparsely populated, yet resource-rich region has long been a unique challenge. However, as Russia shifts more of its trade and economic relations towards Asia, the Far East is now playing an increasingly vital role as the nation’s gateway to various markets in the Pacific region.
This will be the primary focus of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), which brings together delegates from 80 countries in Vladivostok from Tuesday to Friday. The meeting takes place immediately following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan, where Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with leaders from across Eurasia, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Putin is scheduled to depart for Vladivostok on Wednesday and plans to hold bilateral meetings, attend EEF plenary sessions, and lead the inauguration of several newly constructed companies in the region. Held annually since 2015, the EEF was established to attract investment to the Russian Far East and strengthen economic cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations.
This year’s forum will place special emphasis on Southeast Asia, while the presence of delegates from China, Mongolia, and South Korea reflects the diverse Asian economies with interests in the region. The forum’s theme this year, “The Far East: Development for the Welfare of the People,” also highlights the domestic challenges faced by Moscow. Beyond efforts to attract investment and develop trade routes, Russia is also striving to make the cities in the region more attractive places to live and work.
Ahead of the meeting, Putin expressed his hope that various proposals from participants could help create new business opportunities, improve the quality of life, and make Far Eastern cities “more comfortable and modern.”
Russia’s economic reorientation since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 has provided additional strategic weight to the region. With various economic ties to Western nations limited, Moscow is increasingly turning its gaze towards China, India, Southeast Asia, and other non-Western markets for trade, investment, and political partnerships. This shift has increased the significance of the Far East, both as an Asian investment destination and as a transit route for Russian exports of goods and energy to regional markets.
At the same time, the region holds much of Russia’s abundant natural resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, timber, minerals, and fisheries. Consequently, the transport and logistics sectors will be a major part of the EEF agenda. Discussions are expected to cover new corridors and infrastructure, as well as broader issues regarding regional economic integration.
Southeast Asia plays a vital role
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be a key foreign guest this year and is scheduled to join Putin in the plenary session. Prabowo returns to a major Russian economic forum after previously attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2025, where he discussed business opportunities and the expansion of bilateral economic relations. As the most populous nation and one of the primary economic powers in Southeast Asia, his high-level presence is highly significant amidst Russia’s efforts to deepen economic cooperation with the region.
Myanmar’s Vice President Nyo Saw is also scheduled to attend the plenary session, providing Southeast Asia with two important positions in this year’s agenda. This differs from the previous two years, when only one Southeast Asian nation was represented in the plenary session: Malaysia in 2024 and Laos in 2025.
Meanwhile, China and Mongolia remain regular participants; China’s Deputy Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang will represent Beijing this year, while Mongolia is sending its Prime Minister for the second consecutive year. Organisers also highlighted the participation of countries whose diplomatic relations with Moscow have deteriorated since the start of the Ukraine conflict.
Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the Russian President and executive secretary of the forum’s organising committee, told Russian media that Japan will send a delegation, and several “business players and European companies” have also expressed interest in attending. South Korea will also be present, with plans for Ambassador Lee Sok-bae to attend. However, Seoul’s Ministry of Unification stated on Monday that they have no plans to participate.
The forum is also attracting attention in South Korea amidst speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might travel to Vladivostok for a potential meeting with Putin. The Seoul government stated on Monday that they have no information indicating Kim’s presence and will continue to monitor the situation.
What is on the agenda?
Despite its growing global profile, the EEF fundamentally remains focused on the development of the Russian Far East. Organisers expect there will be significant investment…