From Dialogue to Action- BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026 Champions Women’s Leadership in Innovation and Enterprise
New Delhi, 24th March 2026: Emphasising the central role of women in India’s developmental journey, Raksha Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, highlighted that the nation’s ambition to become a developed economy by 2047 is deeply anchored in inclusive growth. Addressing the 6th Edition of the BRICS CCI WE Annual Women’s Summit & Felicitations 2026 as Chief Guest, she underlined that youth and women together form the backbone of a progressive India. She noted that fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among women is not merely an economic imperative but a nation-building priority that will shape India’s global leadership trajectory.
In her welcome address, Ruby Sinha, President of BRICS CCI WE, described the summit as a decisive shift from participation to leadership. She stressed that empowering women today goes beyond access—it requires enabling influence, fostering ecosystems, and investing in women-led enterprises that can drive sustainable economic transformation. According to her, when women lead in science and entrepreneurship, innovation accelerates and societies witness tangible transformation.
The summit commenced with dynamic B2B networking sessions at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Gurugram, bringing together startups, investors, and ecosystem enablers. Delegates also participated in an industry visit to the NASSCOM Centre of Excellence for AI & IoT, alongside a thematic roundtable discussion featuring women leaders and experts. A key milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with SEBRAE, Brazil’s Micro and Small Business Support Service, reinforcing international cooperation for MSME growth.
A commemorative publication titled “WISE Collective: Echoes of Excellence” was unveiled during the summit, celebrating impactful stories of women leaders. The event also hosted the convocation of the third edition of the Global Women Leadership Programme (GWLP), conducted in partnership with Nippon Paint India and other knowledge collaborators, marking another step in building leadership capacity among women professionals.
Delivering a special address, Sameep Shastri emphasised that BRICS+ nations represent a vast reservoir of talent, and strategic policy interventions are enabling women to lead in high-technology sectors. Echoing similar sentiments, Lebogang Zulu, National Chairperson of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa, noted that with women comprising nearly 40% of the BRICS population, the focus must now shift from conceptual empowerment to tangible outcomes such as scaling enterprises and improving access to finance.
Celebrated actor Shabana Azmi, honoured with the Trailblazer: Living Legend recognition for 50 years in Indian cinema, highlighted the role of storytelling in amplifying women’s voices. Meanwhile, Debjani Ghosh, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement honour, stressed that the real measure of progress lies in how effectively women shape policies and influence decision-making processes.
A significant highlight was the unveiling of Mission ShakthiSAT by Meenakshi Lekhi, underscoring the increasing participation of women in science, technology, and space exploration. She called for greater representation of women in global diplomacy and innovation leadership. Similarly, Kalpana Murmu Soren emphasised the need for equitable opportunities for women, particularly from marginalised communities.
The summit also featured insights from Sanjay Bhattacharyya, who stressed the importance of strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation, and Rupinder Brar, who highlighted the development of inclusive institutional mechanisms such as childcare support and flexible work structures. Abhishek Singh drew attention to the critical need for diversity in technology governance, particularly in addressing biases in artificial intelligence systems.
Actor and entrepreneur Bhumi Pednekar spoke about the intersection of climate action, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, noting that women are leading transformative change in these domains. The summit also honoured several global leaders and organisations for their contributions to women empowerment, reflecting the event’s international scope and collaborative spirit.
The presence of policymakers, industry leaders, diplomats, and entrepreneurs from multiple countries reinforced the growing importance of global partnerships in advancing women’s leadership. As highlighted throughout the summit, the path to inclusive growth lies in building robust ecosystems that empower women not only to participate but to lead across sectors.
The event stands as a significant milestone in the broader discourse on Indian Bureaucracy Latest News and global policy frameworks, demonstrating how collaborative platforms like BRICS CCI WE are shaping the future of women-led development.