On June, 3-12, 2023, the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance visited China. The visit was organized for the winners of the BRICS Women’s Innovation Contest, initiated by President Xi Jinping in 2020. An official delegation from Russia took part in a visit to China.
On June, 5th, the 2023 BRICS Women’s Leadership Forum took place in Beijing, bringing together 300 representatives from government, business, academia and international relations. The event focused on empowering women in BRICS countries while promoting innovation and business cooperation.
The opening ceremony of the Forum was attended by Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and president of the All-China Women’s Federation, Siyabonga C. Cwele, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to China, Zhao Haiying, chairperson of the China Chapter of BRICS WBA, Lebogang Zulu, the rotating chairperson of BRICS WBA, Anna Nesterova, chairperson of the Russia Chapter of BRICS WBA.
Zhao Haiying, chairperson of the China Chapter of BRICS WBA, emphasized that creating a better environment for women’s economic participation contributes to global prosperity and stability.
Lebogang Zulu, the rotating chairperson of BRICS WBA, noted that South Africa, holding the rotating presidency of BRICS WBA this year, will continue to promote economic cooperation, accelerate resource integration under the BRICS cooperation mechanism, and facilitate mutual assistance among women to advance gender equality and equity.
Anna Nesterova, chairperson of the Russia Chapter of BRICS WBA, noted that the forum witnessed the first face-to-face engagement of BRICS WBA chairpersons, laying a solid foundation for further advancing the BRICS partnership. She called for collective efforts to encourage more female entrepreneurs to participate in international economic and trade collaborations.
During the forum, the BRICS Women’s Development Report 2023 was released. The report presents the current development situation of women in BRICS countries in areas such as health, education, the economy, decision-making, management, and technology. It analyzes the challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship and proposes corresponding solutions.
The forum also held two panel discussions. The first panel discussion was focused on the women leadership in sustainable development. On behalf of the Russian Chapter Elena Chashchina, Managing Partner and Co-owner of the EPOTOS Group of Companies, Head of the Working Group on Creative Industries and Tourism, participated as a speaker in it. The second panel session was dedicated to women’s leadership in digital transformation. Speakers emphasized the importance of women’s leadership role in improving corporate governance and promoting digital inclusion.
Additionally, a special session “Her stories: She Succeeds in Leadership” was held. Women leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa shared their success stories. On behalf of the Russian Chapter Lyudmila Shcherbakova, President of the Bright Way Group and Head of the Working Group on Healthcare, participated as a panelist in it.
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Russian delegation solemnly presented domestically produced gifts to Lebogang Zulu, the rotating chairperson of BRICS WBA, Zhao Haiying, chairperson of the China Chapter of BRICS WBA, as well as the leaders of the delegations from India and Brazil.
The Forum ended with a gala dinner.