Fact Check: Over 140 countries will attend Russia's annual International Economic Forum.

Fact Check: "Over 140 countries will attend Russia's annual International Economic Forum."

What We Know

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual event that has been held in St. Petersburg, Russia, since 1997. It is organized under the auspices of the Russian President and aims to facilitate business and government interactions, particularly to attract foreign investment and discuss economic policies (Wikipedia).

Historically, the forum has seen participation from over 120 countries, with attendance figures fluctuating over the years. For instance, in 2023, the forum attracted participants from 130 countries, with a total of over 17,000 attendees, including representatives from 75 countries (Wikipedia). The number of countries represented at SPIEF has increased from 69 in 2022 to 75 in 2023, but it has not reached 140 (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that "over 140 countries will attend" SPIEF is misleading. According to multiple sources, including the official SPIEF website and recent reports, the actual number of countries represented has not surpassed 130 in recent years. For example, the 2023 forum had participants from 130 countries, while the 2024 forum is expected to have representatives from 136 countries (Wikipedia, [source-8]).

The SPIEF has faced significant geopolitical challenges, particularly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has led to a notable absence of Western countries and their representatives. This shift has resulted in a focus on non-Western nations, but the overall attendance figures remain below the claimed 140 (Wikipedia, [source-5]).

The reliability of the sources used to evaluate this claim is high, as they include the official SPIEF website and reputable news agencies. However, the claim itself appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the actual attendance figures.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The assertion that "over 140 countries will attend Russia's annual International Economic Forum" is inaccurate. The most recent data indicates that the number of participating countries has not exceeded 136, with 130 countries represented in 2023. The claim does not align with the verified attendance figures and fails to account for the geopolitical context affecting participation.

Fact Check: Over 140 countries will attend Russia's annual International Economic Forum.