Russian Parliamentary Delegation Comes to Brazil for BRICS Parliamentary Forum

The Global Chair of the Women’s Business Alliance (WBA), along with Inna Svatenko, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council and Senator of Moscow, and Marina Astakhova, head of Mrs. Svatenko’s office, represented the WBA at the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum hosted by the Brazilian National Congress. The event features approximately 150 legislators from 15 nations, including parliamentarians from the eleven permanent members: India, China, Russia, South Africa, Iran, and Indonesia. Delegations from partner countries like Cuba, Bolivia, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Belarus are also participating. Following the debates, the delegation was hosted for a dinner at Monica Monteiro’s residence, also attended by ministers of the Brazilian Supreme Court. 

From Tuesday (3) through Thursday (5), the Brazilian parliament becomes the venue for international discussions on initiatives in areas such as Artificial Intelligence regulation, global health, climate crisis, economic development, world governance reform for peace and security, and women’s participation in these topics. 

A meeting of BRICS women parliamentarians took place on Tuesday (3), focusing on women’s roles in the digital era, climate crisis response, and as agents and beneficiaries of funding. Monica Monteiro, WBA’s Global Chair, attended the opening panel sessions. 

Brazil presides over BRICS in 2025 amidst the bloc’s expansion, which brings together the world’s major emerging economies. Initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the coalition recently welcomed Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE as permanent members last year. This year, Indonesia becomes a permanent member. Furthermore, in 2025, the partner member modality was introduced, including nine countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. 

The BRICS Parliamentary Forum was initiated in 2011 by Brazil to gather parliamentarians for aligning legislative initiatives of interest to member countries. 

Representing 40% of the world’s population and accounting for 37% of the global economy, BRICS demands include advocating for reform in global governance, expanding representation of Asian, African, and Latin American countries in institutions such as the UN Security Council, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).