New Delhi, March 2026.
Addressing the 6th Edition of the BRICS CCI WE (Women Empowerment) Annual Women’s Summit & Felicitations 2026, Chief Guest Smt. Raksha Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, said, “India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 is firmly rooted in inclusive growth, with women empowerment as a central pillar. Empowering India’s youth and women with opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship is key to nation-building.”
The Women Empowerment Vertical of The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI WE), a not-for-profit dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship, trade and business across BRICS+ and partner countries organised the 3-day Summit (March 21-23) on the theme Women in Innovation, Science Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (WISE)-Inspiring Change, Shaping Tomorrow, with the support of BRICS WBA (Women Business Alliance).
Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE (Women Empowerment) said, “This Summit is a call to action. It is our collective responsibility to build stronger ecosystems, enable greater access, and invest in women-led innovation. Because when women lead in science and entrepreneurship, innovation accelerates, economies expand and societies transform.”
In his special address, Mr. Sameep Shastri, Vice Chairman, BRICS CCI, remarked, “The BRICS+ nations represent a powerhouse of talent. Strategic policy interventions are now equipping our women to lead in high-tech industries, ensuring sustainable growth that is truly inclusive.”
Addressing the global gathering, Shri Abhishek Singh, DG NIC & Additional Secretary, MeitY, Government of India and Chief Guest of the Convocation Ceremony of the BRICS CCI WE Global Women Leadership Programme said, “As technology becomes more embedded in governance and everyday life, addressing bias—especially in AI systems—requires diverse perspectives and women must be at the centre of that effort’’.
Unveiling Mission ShakthiSAT, an initiative that reflects the growing participation and leadership of women in science, technology, and space exploration, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairsand Global Chair, Mission ShakthiSATsaid: “Women-led leadership is central to global diplomacy, innovation, and cultural exchange.”
The BRICS CCI WE: Trailblazer Global Woman Icon: Lifetime Achievement felicitationwas givento Ms Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog, & Former President of NASSCOM. Smt. Kalpana Murmu Soren, MLA, Gandey, Jharkhand,was felicitated asBRICS CCI WE Inspiring Woman of the Yearand Dr. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, GOIwas felicitated as BRICS CCI WE Trailblazer Woman Icon.
Ms Shabana Azmi, who received the BRICS CCI WE Trailblazer: Living Legend recognition for ‘50 Years of Excellence in Indian Cinema’ said, “Cinema, as a mirror to society, is amplifying women’s voices and aspirations. Initiatives like WISE bring together diverse perspectives, creating space for meaningful dialogue and action.”
Actor, Entrepreneur, UN Advocate & Climate Warrior Ms. Bhumi Satish Pednekar who was felicitated as BRICS CCI WE Woman Icon, said, “Climate action, sustainability, and entrepreneurship are deeply interconnected, and women are leading this shift with remarkable impact.”
Also addressing the gathering were HRH Ms. Lebogang Zulu, National Chairperson – BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa, along with Mr. Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Former BRICS Sherpa & Secretary to Govt. of India.
The Summit was flagged off with B2B networking sessions at Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)with startups, investors, and ecosystem enablers, along with the signing of MoU with SEBRAE – Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service.A commemorative book ‘WISE Collective: Echoes of Excellence’, was also unveiled on the occasion. The Convocation of the 3rd Edition of the BRICS CCI WE Global Women Leadership Programme (GWLP), conducted in association with Nippon Paint India as Lead Programme Partner, sheatwork and ThinkStartup as knowledge partners and Cheistha Kochhar Foundation as Nudge Partner was also held at the Summit.
Other eminent names felicitated during the SummitBRICS CCI WE: Trailblazer Global Women Icons includedMs. Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief, Times Now & Times Now Navbharat; Ms. Monica Monteiro, Chairperson, BRICS WBA Women Business Alliance Brazil; Ms. Glaucia Guarcello, CEO, HSM, Singularity Brazil and Learning Village;Ms. Svetlana Smirnovaa, Chairperson, General Council, World Peoples Assembly; Ms. Maria Muhari, Founder & CEO, HET Group; Ms. Zhu Jingjing, Deputy Director and Hindi Host, Department of Asia-Africa Centre, China Media Group (CMG) and Ms. Annachiara Sarto, Director, Protection4Kids.
BRICS CCI WE Trailblazer Women Iconsfelicitations also included Late Ms. Cheistha Kochchar, Behavioural Strategist and Public Policy Professional;Dr. Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, AmityInternational Schools; Ms. Shabana Nasim, Managing,Director, NF Infratech Services Pvt Ltd; Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder & CEO, Space Kidz India; Mrs. Chandralekha Solomon, Hon’ble Trustee, Noro Solomon Foundation and Indian Table Tennis Player and Arjuna Awardee, Ms. Ayhika Mukherjee. Global organisations felicitated for working towards women empowerment included SEBRAE, Skolkovo Women’s Club and Forum, Nippon Paint India and NAREDCO Mahi.
Also attending the Summit were Dr. BBL Madhukar, Co- Chairman & DG, BRICS CCI; Mr. Ashok KR Singh, Vice Chairman, BRICS CCI;Mr. Ashok Gupta, Director, Software Technology Parks of India; Mr. Sushil Sharma, Founder & CEO, Marwari Catalysts;Ms. Noopur Jhunjhunwala, Trustee & Co- Founder, ChangeInkk; Ms.Julia Savinykh, Chairperson, Skolkovo Women’s Forum, Russia; Ms. Amrita Chowdhury, Co-Founder & CEO, Gaia Smart Cities;Ms. Leena Abu Mukh Zoabi, Expert for International Cooperation, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology;Mr. Ambikanand Jha, GM- BD, North India, UCO Bank; Ms. Ana Lisboa, Founder & President, Altis Lisboa Group Ms Micarla Lins, CEO, BL Group; Ms. Bogusia Dhingra, Owner, Defence Bakery & Alma Café; Ms. Geovana Quadros,Founder & CEO, Inspiring Women Platform; Dr. Abhishek Garg, Executive Director DBG Technology, Dr. Sulochana Segera, Chairperson, Women in Management (WIM);Mr. Bibin Babu, Founder, GrowQR;Ms.Shormishtha Ghosh, Founder- MD of In Tandem Global Consulting and several Governing Body and Life Members of the Chamber.
