Speaker lineup announced for Caucasus Investment Forum

The full business programme and speaker lineup of the Caucasus Investment Forum (CIF), which will take place on 28–30 April at the MinvodyEXPO Multifunctional Exhibition Centre, have been posted on the event’s official website. The main theme of the Forum will be ‘Expanding the Horizons of Opportunity’. The programme includes dozens of events featuring representatives of federal and regional government bodies, the business sector, and the expert community. The Forum is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and the Stavropol Territory Government.

The CIF has turned into a traditional platform for working out solutions that aim to unlock the investment potential of the regions and expand economic cooperation. In 2026, the business programme has a specific focus for each day of the Forum: the agenda is structured to sequentially explore key development trends and ensure a comprehensive discussion of pressing issues. The first day is devoted to the youth agenda and shaping a new generation of entrepreneurs; the second day focuses on dialogue with the regions and the formulation of management solutions; and the third day is dedicated to matters of state policy and strategic development. The programme pays particular attention to synchronizing the thematic content with the lineup of experts.

“The regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have enormous potential for the development of the social sector, business, tourism, industry, and culture. The Caucasus Investment Forum is a strategic platform for discussing focuses for the development of economic sectors and coming up with practical initiatives that aim to enhance the well-being of the region’s residents. The CIF business programme traditionally reflects the most pressing challenges facing the district’s regions and aims to identify effective means of addressing them,” Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak said.

In 2026, prominent experts have been invited to take part in the business programme. Specialized speakers with proven industry expertise and practical experience in project implementation have been selected for each specific track. The programme includes thematic blocks dedicated to investment and finance, industry, agribusiness, digitalization and technological leadership, entrepreneurship, international cooperation, tourism, and the creative industries.

“The Caucasus Investment Forum is an effective platform for coordinating the efforts of business and government. As part of the implementation of the Strategy for the Socioeconomic Development of the North Caucasus Federal District through 2030, the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District use the Forum to showcase how their tourism infrastructure is being modernized, how major industrial investment projects are being implemented, and how the construction of schools, kindergartens, and highways is progressing. It is obvious how business and government have synchronized their actions: 86 agreements valued at more than RUB 206 billion were signed at the CIF in 2025. This year, we also anticipate strong results and high levels of business activity from the North Caucasus Federal District at the Forum as one of Russia’s most dynamic federal districts,” Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the CIF Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said.

Speakers at the Caucasus Investment Forum will include Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of International Economic Relations in the Government of the Republic of Serbia Nenad Popovic, First Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture, Food Policy and Environmental Management Natalya Komarova, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Sergey Nazarov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Svyatoslav Sorokin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Andrey Razin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Roman Nekrasov, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation Pavel Kadochnikov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Petr Konyushenko, Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation Alexey Yeresko, Chief Executive Officer of DOM.RF Vitaly Mutko, Founder of AFK Sistema Vladimir Evtushenkov, Chairman of Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia) Alexey Repik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Health and Nutrition Ruslan Alisultanov, First Deputy General Director of Kavkaz.RF Andrey Tsemakhovich, General Director of Mantera Group Vadim Trukshin, Russian System of Quality Head Maxim Protasov, TASS General Director Andrey Kondrashov, and other representatives of development institutions, regional authorities, and businesses. President of the Republic of Abkhazia Badra Gunba and President of the Republic of South Ossetia Alan Gagloyev will also take part in the Caucasus Investment Forum.

Young Entrepreneurs Day will take place on 28 April, the first day of the Forum, and will feature events from the youth programme, including the Caucasus Growth Point startup contest, thematic laboratories of the future, and hands-on sessions that aim to develop entrepreneurial initiatives and build human capital.

One of the main events on 29 April will be the session ‘Dialogue with the Governor: Focus on the Caucasus’, during which the heads of the seven regions of the North Caucasus Federal District, the Republic of Dagestan, the Republic of Ingushetia, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, and Stavropol Territory, will present the priority socioeconomic projects in their respective regions. A meeting of KAVKAZ.RF board of directors is also scheduled for the same day.

The business programme features sessions on regional investment appeal, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, digital solutions, the introduction of AI, international cooperation, and the creation of new growth points. It pays particular attention to the development of human capital, infrastructure, and cross-industry collaboration.

The business programme of the CIF 2026 provides a comprehensive platform for professional networking, sharing best practices, and formulating solutions that aim to bolster the economic potential of Russia’s regions.

Follow the latest news on the official website of the Caucasus Investment Forum: forumkavkaz.org and social media on Telegram, VKontakte, and MAX.

General Partners: Kavkaz.RF, Safmar Group

Strategic Partners: Gazprombank, Damate, Rosseti, Sberbank

Strategic Sponsor: VTB Bank

Official Partners: A7 Holding, VEB.RF, Logika moloka, Lukoil, Mantera Group, MSP Bank, DOM.RF

Official Sponsor: Russian Agricultural Bank

Partners: Airports of Regions, Irstoun, Ozon, Rosneft, Ruslet, R-PHARM

Communications Partner: MAER

Business Programme Partner: Granit, Mineralnye Vody International Airport

Transport Partner: AvtoVAZ

Sports and Entertainment Programme Partner: Lokomotiv Judo Club

Co-organizer of the “Soul of Russia. South” project: Bank PSB

Organizational Partners: А101 Special Contractors, A.N.D. Corporation, Cosmos Hotel Group, MLP, PR Integral, PFK, Russian Coal, SAFMAR Aurora Luxe Hotel, ForteInvest

Official Suppliers: Derbent Wine, ImperaLeTa (Tatyana Kozlova), Lukman (Nadezhdinsky MCC), Matsesta Cosmetic Group, Milaf Group, Pyatigorsk Ice Cream, KMKR, Foodliner, Holding Aqua, Kuban Vino, ECO-Culture