Private sector of BRICS countries delivers policy recommendations to Heads of State during Summit in Rio de Janeiro

Context: According to the UNCTAD framework, creative industries are categorized into four broad groups— Heritage, Arts, Media, and Functional Creations. Beyond driving innovation and cultural identity, these industries generate employment, income, and social impact. They are increasingly recognized as engines of sustainable development in today’s economies. Their strength lies in combining symbolic and economic value, positioning creativity as a strategic asset for the 21st century. Across BRICS countries, women are at the forefront of the creative economy. Nevertheless, persistent structural barriers related to inequality between women and men continue to constrain women’s full participation in the creative economy. Addressing these challenges through inclusive policies and targeted support is essential to ensure that the creative sector evolves into a space of equity, diversity, and long-term development.

Context: With over 2.3 billion people facing moderate or severe food insecurity globally according to the United Nations, BRICS countries are uniquely positioned to strengthen global food security through more resilient and diversified supply chains. Fostering the inclusion of small and medium-scale farmers is essential to increase production capacity, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure more stable access to food at both local and global levels. Despite the planet’s ability to provide quality food for everyone, an increasing number of people are unable to meet their food and nutritional needs. This situation has worsened with the intensification of climate and environmental crises, combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted school feeding programs, affected supply chains, and severely impacted the livelihoods of small-scale producers, migrant and seasonal workers, and local food vendors. This scenario reveals a systemic challenge: rural women are essential to food systems yet remain disproportionately excluded from the resources and resilience strategies necessary to thrive in the face of environmental and economic shocks.

Context: Women’s health remains a critical public health challenge across BRICS countries, particularly in the areas of preventable diseases and mental health. Cervical cancer continues to be a leading cause of death among women in low-resource areas, despite the existence of effective prevention tools such as HPV vaccination and routine screening. According to the WHO, without preventive measures, deaths may rise from 311,000 to 400,000 by 2030. Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, have also surged, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by factors such as economic vulnerability and unequal access to care.

Context: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive economy, accounting for 99% of all businesses globally and employing at least 60% of the workforce in most BRICS countries according to ILO-OECD statistics. In this scenario women-led businesses emerge as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and job creation, as one-third of SMEs are led by women according to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative. Nonetheless, 70% of women-led business face substantial barriers in trade, accessing credit, lack of financial literacy, and witness restricted opportunities to join national and international business networks.

ILO-OECD statistics also reveal that productivity of SMEs still underperforms that of larger companies, with an average gap of 71% among emerging economies. Besides, around 70% of SMEs are not yet digitalized due to hardware or maintenance costs, insufficient talent and digital skills, and difficulties navigating laws and regulations.

Context: According to the Global Education Monitoring Report 2024 (UNESCO), several women are already entering STEM careers, with an average of 35% of enrollments in undergraduate courses. However, this percentage has not changed in the past 10 years and only 12% of women reach leadership positions in STEM related professions. The reasons for this situation vary from lack of motivation and role models to social prejudice and lack of opportunities for career growth – which is known as a “glass ceiling” for women’s progression in their careers.

Context: Women represent about 54% of the global Tourism workforce according to the UNWTO. Recent global phenomena, especially the Covid Pandemic when tourism spending dropped by 53% percent as in 2020, but fully recovered by the end of 2023, demonstrate not only the volatility, but also the vulnerability experienced by many stakeholders in its value chains, felt more intensely by Women.  With the World Economic Forum projecting a positive trend for the industry in the next 10 years, it is crucial that BRICS nations find ways to seize these new opportunities to further equity between women and men in the sector, by addressing the challenges faced by women in Tourism.

Context: According to the World Economic Forum, Regenerative practices and biotechnology have the potential to increase production by 40% and improve environmental outcomes. At the same time, stronger regulatory alignment and better access to key inputs can fast-track value chain integration and enhance global competitiveness.

Context: The aviation sector of BRICS plays a crucial role in the global economy but faces significant logistical and sustainability challenges, as 1) the lack of direct flights between the member states; 2) the extremely low supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), necessary for the sector to achieve its carbon reduction targets; and 3) the increasing need of human capital development for both the industrial and commercial aviation sectors.

Context: According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in 2024 around 68% of the global population used the internet and a recent Soho Survey revealed that up to 50% of Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSMEs) IT budget has been allocated to cloud computing services. It is particularly remarking the swift adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI), which garnered over one million users in just five days after its launch. However, most large language models (LLMs) often fail to capture the cultural and linguistic differences that exist in BRICS countries, a reason why it is essential to cultivate national capabilities in AI development and training.

Context: Meeting decarbonization targets by 2050 is critical to limiting global warming below 1.5°C. The IPCC warns that emissions must decline by 43% by 2030, or global temperatures could exceed 1.5°C as early as 2031. BRICS countries, responsible for approximately 40% of global GHG emissions, must lead this effort.

Context: Over 50% of Small and Medium Entreprises (SMEs) in BRICS economies report limited access to credit, with borrowing costs often exceeding global averages. Tackling this challenge requires not only expanding access to capital but also lowering its cost through financial innovation and ecosystem diversification.

Context: Infrastructure investment needs in BRICS countries are substantial. The Global Infrastructure Hub estimates that these countries will require around $4.5 trillion in infrastructure investment by 2040. The New Development Bank (NDB), with its focus on infrastructure and sustainable development projects, can play a significant role in meeting these needs. According to the World Bank, efficient logistics and robust infrastructure are key drivers of economic growth and competitiveness. A study by the Asian Development Bank found that improving transport infrastructure alone could increase GDP by up to 5% in the Asia-Pacific region.

Context: Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of global economic growth, contributing 16% of global GDP and employing 14% of the global workforce (UNIDO). As the engine of export performance, manufactured goods represent nearly 70% of global merchandise exports. The emergence of advanced manufacturing, powered by robotics, AI, and clean tech, is reshaping industries and unlocking new growth opportunities. This dual role positions manufacturing as a core pillar of economic transformation.

Context: It is estimated that 60% of employers expect digital transformation to affect their business model by 2030, still only 45% of individuals currently possess basic digital skills according to the International Telecommunications Union. The World Economic Forum projects a net shift in the employment landscape, with an estimated 92 million job displacements (8% of total) and 78 million new job opportunities (7% of total) being created in the next five years. This transition underscores a significant mismatch between skills needed and those currently possessed by the workforce. Urgent upskilling efforts are required, with proactive investment and collaboration between governments, businesses, and educators to ensure a balanced transition and sustainable employment.

Context: Over the last 5 years, harmful trade interventions rose 500% according to the Global Trade Alert Database. Divergent regulations and elaborate administrative processes add to compliance burdens, limiting the pace of economic integration and affecting overall competitiveness. The World Bank estimates that reducing border red tape could boost global income by over 6x more than eliminating all tariffs. Progressing towards regulatory cooperation and digital trade facilitation measures that streamline customs procedures could enhance efficiency, reduce processing times, and strengthen BRICS competitiveness.