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In a landmark event, the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance convened its final meetings of working groups focused on key sectors including Healthcare, Inclusive Economy, Creative Industries, Tourism, Food Security and Environmental Safety, ESG Agenda, and Innovative Development. The meeting, held on October 19, 2024, brought together heads and members of the working groups, representatives of the expert and business communities of the BRICS countries.
The general partner of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance series of events is Sberbank PJSC, Russia’s largest bank and a leading global financial institution.
The strategic partner of the Contest is another leader of Russia’s banking industry Gazprombank (Joint Stock Company).
Each working group summarized the work done during the period of Russia’s BRICS Chairship, discussed the status of the implementation of projects and initiatives, and outlined a further work plan.
Members of the Working Group on Healthcare centered on enhancing access to medical services through technology, noting the possibilities of the project “MEDEOR – BRICS Healthcare Media Platform” that serves to organize the exchange of information between scientific and medical communities and players in the healthcare market. Participants emphasized the need for cross-border partnerships to tackle health disparities and improve women’s health outcomes.
The Working Group on Inclusive Economy focused on developing frameworks that support women-led businesses, advocating for policies that promote women rights in entrepreneurship. They endorsed initiatives to provide financial literacy training and access to funding for women entrepreneurs across BRICS nations.The Alliance presented the results of its project, “BRICS White Paper. Care Economy,” to the working group members. This document, available in print and online, showcases best practices from BRICS countries in caring for patients, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. It aims to enhance care work and improve the quality and accessibility of care services, promoting healthy lifestyles and active longevity.
The Creative Industries Working Group showcased the potential of cultural exchange and collaboration in boosting economic growth. They called for increased investment in arts, culture, cinematography as a means of fostering innovation and social cohesion.
Tourism representatives stressed the importance of sustainable practices in the industry, urging member countries to promote eco-friendly travel options that benefit local communities while preserving natural resources. The Working Group on Tourism also emphasized the significance of tourist safety, calling on to enhance BRICS cooperation in the field.
The Working Group on Food Security and Environmental Safety discussed strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, emphasizing the role of women in food systems. They advocated for policies that support female farmers and ensure equitable access to resources. Participants highlighted the urgent need for collective action against climate change. They proposed initiatives to promote green technologies and sustainable practices across industries.
The Expert ESG Dialogue focused on integrating environmental, social, and governance factors into business strategies. They underscored the significance of transparency and accountability in fostering trust among stakeholders. Special attention was paid to promoting the ESG agenda using modern technologies, e.g. through digital platforms and applications.
Finally, the Working Group on Innovative Development explored the role of technology in driving economic growth. Anna Nesterova, Global Chairperson of the BRICS WBA, Head of the working group on Innovative Development, expounded on the BRICS WBA Common Platform that presents an informative tool for collaboration, investor search, exchange of experience and best practices between the BRICS nations.
This time, the open meetings of the BRICS WBA working groups were also attended by the winners of the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest held on October 18, 2024, in Moscow. The ladies were able to present their projects to the expert community. With the startups resonating deeply with the audience, the heads of the working groups expressed their aspiration to promote the projects within the frameworks of the BRICS WBA.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to further cooperation among BRICS nations to address pressing global challenges.
