The 4th Eurasian Women's Forum (EWF) has officially opened in St. Petersburg, focusing on the theme “Women for Strengthening Trust and Global Cooperation.” On the first day, the forum will host the ceremonial opening of its thematic platforms, followed by a plenary session.
Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council, emphasized the importance of women's involvement in addressing key global challenges, stating, “No major issue of our time can be fully resolved without the engagement of the women's community. I am confident that this forum will once again demonstrate the value of women's perspectives on critical issues and highlight their significant contributions toward finding solutions.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin traditionally addresses participants at the Eurasian Women's Forum. However, this year, the Kremlin press service has not announced his schedule. In previous speeches, Putin highlighted the importance of gender equality, noting that “both the world and the state will benefit if there are more women's success stories.” He also stressed that women should not have to choose between family and career, and that Russia is working to create conditions that allow women to resume or start their professional lives after having children.
The forum's business program includes five thematic platforms focused on women’s roles in global processes: women shaping a new agenda for peace and trust, women in the new economic reality of technology and innovation, women for a healthy society and social well-being, women for a clean planet and food security, and women preserving traditions and cultural diversity.
Forum Highlights
Over the next three days, the forum will host over 100 events at the Tauride Palace and the “Universe of Water” museum complex, including thematic sessions, discussions, business breakfasts, presentations, lectures, and roundtable talks. Russia's chairmanship of BRICS in 2024 has added special significance to the forum, with several BRICS-related events scheduled, such as the BRICS Women's Forum, a meeting of BRICS ministers on women's issues, and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance meeting. Additionally, there will be an international competition for environmental women's projects and the launch of an educational program called “Woman Leader.”
Key events include a parliamentary dialogue on the role of women in shaping a new global agenda for trust, an open session of the Women's Twenty (W20) titled “Going Global: Women's Organizations and Multilateral Institutions,” a Russia-Arab World dialogue, and an international dialogue of women in the nuclear industry. Open meetings will also be held by the International Council for Women's Support and Development in Industry and Technology and the International Club of APEC Women Entrepreneurs.
The forum will feature the traditional awards ceremony for the winners of the International “Public Recognition” Prize and other Eurasian Women's Forum competitions. Additionally, a TASS photo exhibition dedicated to remarkable women from Russia and around the world will be opened in the Tauride Palace, marking the 120th anniversary of Russia's first state news agency. The exhibition spans from the 1880s to the present day.
Forum Participants
According to the Federation Council’s press service, the forum will welcome notable figures such as Natalya Kochanova, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic (Upper House) of Belarus; Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the Zambian Parliament; Mabel Chinomona, President of the Senate of Zimbabwe; Srebrenka Golic, Speaker of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Srpska; Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairwoman of the Senate of Uzbekistan; Pany Yathotou, Vice President of Laos; Dilrabo Mansuri, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan; Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda; Hamda Bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of Qatar’s Advisory Council; Mari Machado, Deputy Speaker of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power and State Council; Snezana Paunovic, Deputy Speaker of Serbia’s National Assembly; Ana Lisset Arias Hernández, Deputy Speaker of the Central American Parliament; and Alexander Beglov, Governor of St. Petersburg.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS