BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (BRICS WBA)

The Women’s Business Alliance (WBA or the Alliance) is a business mechanism for women within the BRICS framework. Its primary objective is to enhance women’s economic participation and foster cooperation among women-led businesses, thereby contributing to inclusive economic growth.

Created in 2019 by BRICS Heads of State and officially established in 2020 under Russian leadership, the WBA consists of nine National Chapters, each chaired by different member countries. Each National Chapter includes a chairperson who leads the country’s participation in the WBA. In addition to the chairperson, each National Chapter appoints four female members who support the leadership in making strategic decisions for the WBA and participate in the Alliance’s discussions. Each National Chapter is autonomous in establishing its own rules for appointing the chairperson and the four members. Furthermore, the WBA operates six Working Groups, composed of female experts and executives who contribute with their knowledge and expertise to discussions across key sectors: (1) Health; (2) Innovative Development; (3) Inclusive Economy; (4) Creative Industries; (5) Tourism; (6) Food and Environmental Security

Priorities

In 2025, the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry will assume the leadership of the WBA, with a focus on the following areas of action:

1)     Promotion of business led by women

2)     Implementation of cooperation projects

3)     Development of policy recommendations for governments to increase women’s economic participation

4)     Improvement of governance and integration of teams from the new member countries: United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia

Planned Deliverables

In 2025, WBA Brazil will lead initiatives focused on women's economic empowerment and international collaboration. Key actions include

− Hosting sectoral business meetings, such as the WEForum in March in Belo Horizonte, to promote international business expansion (March 26-27).

− Two cooperation projects will be developed: the (1) Cotton Project, connecting women in BRICS countries through capsule clothing collections designed by female designers using Brazilian cotton, and the (2) Symphony Project, creating the BRICS Women Symphony Orchestra to provide young female musicians with international collaboration opportunities.

− Additionally, WBA Brazil will organize the 2nd Edition of the Startup Contest, in partnership with Sebrae.

− BRICS Business Forum

Participants

The WBA is composed of businesswomen representing different sectors and countries across BRICS member countries. During Brazil’s presidency, Mônica Monteiro, Executive Advisor for Team Brazil at CNBC, serves as Chair, while Constanza Negri from CNI holds the position of Sherpa.