On June 30, 2023 the Working Group meeting on Inclusive Economy of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance under the South Africa`s Chairship took place. Ipeleng Mkhari moderated the meeting.

Lebogang Zulu, the Rotating Chairperson of BRICS WBA in 2023, presented the key initiatives. Lebogang Zulu highlighted the main areas of an inclusive economy: equal opportunities, access to essential services, sustainable development, collaborations and partnerships, income and wealth distribution.

The Rotating Chairperson put forward several initiatives:

First, to adopt and support the intended objectives of the BRICS WBA INFORMATION PLATFORM designed and presented by Russia in 2021;

Second, to establish BRICS Women Advancement Funds;

Third, to deepen trade and investment relations among the BRICS member countries through B2B interaction;

Fourth, develop a joint-initiative towards skills development particularly in STEM and digital literacy.

Lebogang Zulu offered Brazil Chapter to lead a task force on digital literacy and STEM and China Chapter to head a task force on trade and investment promotion.

During the meeting, representatives of the BRICS countries shared their countries' experiences in promoting inclusive economy and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Galina Volkova, the Head of the Working Group in Inclusive Economy of BRICS WBA Russia Chapter, presented the BRICS Forum "Green Fashion&Universal Design". The main goal of the Forum is to demonstrate and promote the cultural values of the BRICS countries, to foster modern and ecological directions in fashion industry, to develop direct ties between representatives of the business and creative communities of the BRICS countries. The Forum is considered to be held for 2024, the year of the Russian chairship in the BRICS.

At the end of the meeting, the Working Group on Inclusive Economy decided to create task forces on the initiatives put forward as soon as possible and to continue activities aimed at improving the situation of women in the BRICS countries.