03.07.2024 / News

Participants of the IX BRICS Civil Forum were invited to the Eurasian Women's Forum in St. Petersburg

The IX BRICS Civil Forum opened in Moscow under the motto “The Right to Development: Equality, Equity and Justice.” Its participants were welcomed by the Chairman of the Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs Galina Karelova.

The business program opened with a speech by the co-chair of the Russian group of NGOs on BRICS and G20 issues, head of the BRICS-Russia Expert Council, Russia's Sherpa in the Women's Twenty, Victoria Panova. The key speech was delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sherpa of Russia in BRICS Sergei RYABKOV.

Galina Karelova in her greeting noted the growing authority and influence of BRICS on the world stage and emphasized that women make a significant contribution both to the global agenda and to the development of civil society in their countries. In Russia, this is facilitated by the National Strategy of Action in the Interests of Women until 2030, one of the key directions of which is “Strengthening the position of women in the socio-political life of the country. Creating conditions for the development of their civic activity.”

The senator recalled that with the active participation of women representing public institutions, changes were made to legislation in Russia, new instruments of financial, tax, property and information support for the non-profit sector appeared, which gave impetus to the development and implementation of many socially significant projects.

Karelova also emphasized the special role of the Eurasian Women’s Forum, thanks to which international cooperation and interaction between women has reached a new level. She noted that the Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum interacts with civil society of the BRICS member countries in a number of areas. One of these channels was the activities of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, created at the Second Eurasian Women's Forum.

— The partnership of women from the BRICS countries also helps the development of civil society in our countries. Thanks to the Alliance’s projects, new opportunities are opening up for their self-realization, developing social initiatives, and increasing political literacy,” Karelova emphasized.

The Chairperson of the EWF Council noted that only in 2024 a number of joint projects were launched. Thus, as part of the “Woman Leader” educational program, an international stream was launched, the participants of which were representatives of five BRICS countries. The main result of the program will be the creation of international teams and the implementation of new social projects in the countries participating in the program.

A competition for women's startups is currently underway, the goal of which is to support women's entrepreneurship in the BRICS space. In September, the BRICS Women's Forum will be held for the first time in St. Petersburg as part of the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum. The Forum's business program includes a meeting of the BRICS ministers for women's affairs and other events.

In conclusion, Karelova expressed confidence that Russia’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2024 will contribute to the development of multilateral cooperation and the creation of new large-scale projects in the interests of women. She wished all participants of the Forum fruitful work.