BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum Takes Place in Moscow

The BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum was held in Moscow. 400 delegates from 30 countries took part in the business event. The Forum takes place during Russia’s BRICS Chairship in 2024.

The general partner of the BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum is Sberbank.

The opening ceremony of the Forum was attended by Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sherpa of Russia in BRICS, Galina Karelova, Chair of the Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum under the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Rodrigo de Lima Baena Soares, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Russian Federation, Nazih El Naggary, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation, Kazem Jalali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation. The opening ceremony and plenary session were moderated by Anna Nesterova, Global Chairperson of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.

“The forum holds a significant place in the calendar of the Russia Chairship in BRICS. The Alliance is actively developing, holding events, and has already achieved a lot since its creation in 2020. The forum brought together representatives of the countries of the association and other friendly states. The theme chosen by the organizers, “Shaping the Future Together,” reflects the dominant trends today aimed at creative development. Only through the joint efforts of all interested parties we can overcome the challenges facing the modern world and ensure the formation of a new world order that reflects the political and economic realities and aspirations of states,” said Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sherpa of Russia in BRICS.

One of the key events of the business program was the launch of the BRICS WBA Common Digital Platform. The development of a digital solution started in 2021 at the initiative of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance and was supported by all National Chapters. The platform is designed to simplify the search for business partners, exchange of experience and cultural interaction between countries. When creating the platform, the sociocultural context of the countries participating in the international association was taken into account.

“The Common digital platform of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance will allow us to structure project work and ensure seamless integration of new participants into the global business environment of women’s entrepreneurship. We expect that the functionality of the platform will develop with an increase in the number of entrepreneurs participating in its development, and the single window format will ensure the availability and quality of information,” said Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the BRICS WBA Russia Chapter.

The platform will also provide the opportunity to obtain information about support measures and landmark projects, such as the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest, the launch of which was announced during the business program. Entrepreneurs from countries included in the organization can take part in the competition.

Participants can apply for participation on the website of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance from June 4 to July 31, 2024. The awarding of 21 winners in 7 categories will take place in Moscow during the BRICS Business Forum in October 2024. Members of the Contest jury will be representatives of BRICS WBA National Chapters.

As part of the Forum, the exhibition “Made in BRICS by Women” was held, within the framework of which women entrepreneurs from the BRICS member-states presented a wide range of their products and services – from textiles and clothing to handicrafts.

Forum participants discussed issues in the field of finance, industry, torism, creative industries, inclusive economy, ESG agenda and sustainable development.

The first day of the business program ended with a gala dinner in traditional Russian style, where guests immersed themselves in the rich and multifaceted culture of Russia and became acquainted with traditional culinary delights and customs.

On the second day of the Forum, June 4, representatives of countries interested in cooperation with the association took part in the panel session “BRICS Friends”. During the discussion, participants discussed potential areas of cooperation and vectors of interaction.

In addition, the Alliance held open meetings of working groups, at which experts and representatives of the countries of the association discussed the status of current projects and initiatives in such areas as innovative development, creative industries, inclusive economy, food and environmental security, healthcare and tourism.

At the end of the Forum, representatives of the National Chapters of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance went to St. Petersburg to participate in a panel session of the Alliance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

In turn, foreign delegations remaining in Moscow were given a tour of the city, organized by the Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Moscow.