Rio de Janeiro, July 4, 2025 – At the heart of the BRICS Business Week, the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) held its annual plenary at the Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR), gathering official delegations from all member countries and new partner nations. The session underscored the growing role of women entrepreneurs in shaping inclusive, innovative, and sustainable economic development within the BRICS framework.
Led by Monica Monteiro, Global Chair of the WBA, the plenary featured a full agenda of institutional updates, policy recommendations, and partnership building. Representatives from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, India, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates came together to present national progress and align shared priorities.
From Recommendations to Action
The plenary marked a shift from diagnosis to implementation. The WBA officially presented its 2025 recommendations, highlighting key focus areas such as access to finance, internationalization of women-led enterprises, skills development, and innovation. These proposals are intended to influence the broader BRICS policy agenda and create real pathways for economic empowerment.
A key milestone of the session was the launch of a joint report on credit access for women entrepreneurs in BRICS countries. Developed with support from Sebrae and other national partners, the report maps regulatory, cultural, and institutional barriers and proposes solutions ranging from tailored credit lines to financial literacy and gender-responsive banking.
Signing Commitments and Building the Future
During the session, the WBA also hosted the signing of its annual reports, documenting the year’s progress across working groups focused on areas like the creative economy, healthcare, tourism, and inclusive innovation. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Brazilian chapter of the WBA, reinforcing long-term cooperation.
Looking ahead, the session “WBA 2026: The Road to India” laid the groundwork for continuity under the next BRICS presidency. The Indian delegation, alongside the current leadership, reaffirmed commitments to scaling joint initiatives, especially in the areas of digital entrepreneurship, trade facilitation, and green economy.
A Unified Voice
Throughout the plenary, each country’s representative brought a unique perspective to the table:
- Russia: Focused on digital platforms and innovation ecosystems
- China: Emphasized connectivity and financial inclusion
- India: Stressed cross-border collaboration and women-led startups
- South Africa: Advocated for inclusive finance and education
- Egypt, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia: Shared their efforts in integrating women in national economic strategies and regional networks
In her closing remarks, Monteiro called on governments and business communities across the BRICS and beyond to recognize women entrepreneurs as “builders of bridges and engines of transformation.”
The plenary concluded with a collective reaffirmation: that gender equality is not only a human right but a strategic imperative for the BRICS development agenda.
Institutional Coordination and Support
In 2025, both the BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance are coordinated by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI). The Business Forum is sponsored by XCMG, DP World, Keeta, WEG, Embraer, Vale, Febraban, Mebo International, Marfrig/BRF, and the national industry system entities SENAI, SESI, and IEL. Institutional support is provided by the National Council of SESI, the Brazilian Cooperative Organization (OCB), Natura, Sebrae, ApexBrasil, and the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan).
This Saturday, July 5, the BRICS Business Forum takes place, with the participation of Heads of State — including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Check out the photo album to see highlights from the BRICS Business Council meetings and the 2025 plenary.
