The 11th Eastern Economic Forum (1–4 September, Vladivostok) focused on Far East development, inclusion, SMEs, creative industries and Asia-Pacific partnerships in energy, logistics, food and infrastructure. AmCham Russia and Roscongress said there is appetite to keep a U.S.–Russia business channel open.

An “Asia Trends 2026” review cited at the forum: Asia supplied about 60% of global GDP growth; Asian GDP rose 5% in 2025 vs 3.5% worldwide. Developing Asia drew US$644 billion of FDI, but capital and tech cluster in few countries and sectors (AI, clean energy, chips, critical minerals). Growth is uneven (Vietnam 8%, Myanmar −2%; Japan and Korea near 1%).

China is shifting assembly to Vietnam and Indonesia while exporting more components; regional supply chains now split R&D in China and packaging in ASEAN. Russia pitches the Far East as a Eurasian logistics gateway: Eastern Operating Domain rail capacity is 180 million tonnes (2025), targeting 210 million by 2030 and 270 million by 2032.

The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), which opened on 1st-4th September, in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, has become a solid platform for open and constructive dialogue among business leaders, government officials, and members of the expert community. It has also become a unique venue for discussing the strategic development of the Russian Far East and the country as a whole, while fostering and strengthening potential partnerships with counterparts, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region in food production, infrastructure, logistics, industry, energy, and many other sectors of the economy. While recognizing the huge untapped economic potential of the region, it is also understandable that the development of the Far East largely depends on human capital, entrepreneurial efforts, and the ability of regions to create the necessary conditions for realizing the practical expectations.

On 2nd September, as part of the business programme, the “Towards a Common Future: Inclusion as a Development Resource for the Far East” discussion was held with a strong focus on how to create an equal opportunity environment, develop human capital, and engage diverse groups in economic and social life. The following day, majority of the participants in the “Inspiring Investments: A Development Strategy for Growth and Scaling” session touched on funding mechanisms for creative projects, opportunities to enter foreign markets, and collaboration between businesses, investors, development institutions, and government agencies. The key point focused on the development of the creative economy and international cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries, industry investments, the export of intellectual property and creative products, the media’s role in the development and positioning of regions in the Far East, new content formats, and training personnel for the economy of the future.

As part of the discussions at the forum, Russia and the United States continued their business dialogue, headed by Robert Agee, President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham Russia) and with the participation of US representatives. It was spear-headed by Roscongress Foundation in Russia.  Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, noted, however, that........

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