- What is it?: The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) is an annual international forum hosted by Russia in Vladivostok to promote economic development in the Russian Far East and enhance cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Formation: Established in 2015.
- Objectives
- Promote Investment: Attracts foreign investment into the Russian Far East by presenting development projects, special economic zones, and tax incentives for foreign businesses.
- Strengthen Asia-Pacific Relations: Serves as a platform for enhancing Russia’s relationships with Asia-Pacific countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India.
- Develop Infrastructure and Industry: Focuses on developing sectors like energy, natural resources, transportation, and digital economy in Russia’s eastern regions.
Significance for Asia-Pacific Region:
- Energy Security: Russia’s Far East is rich in energy resources, and the EEF has been a forum to secure energy agreements, especially with China and Japan.
- Connectivity: The forum emphasizes building transport and logistics infrastructure to link the Russian Far East with Asia-Pacific countries.
- Strategic Partnerships: Enhances Russia’s geopolitical and economic influence in Asia while creating opportunities for collaboration on shared challenges.