India to Host BRICS Women Ministers in Kochi for Key Leadership Summit

Kochi, July 7, 2026: India is set to host the BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting on July 8-9 in Kochi, Kerala, as part of its BRICS Chairship 2026, bringing together women ministers and senior representatives from member nations to strengthen collaboration on gender-inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The high-level gathering will focus on expanding cooperation among BRICS countries while promoting women’s leadership, economic participation, and social empowerment. The meeting is expected to reinforce the bloc’s collective resolve to build more inclusive and resilient societies through stronger policy coordination.

India has structured its BRICS presidency around the four guiding priorities of Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability, with the Women Track designed to integrate women’s empowerment into each of these focus areas. The ministerial discussions are expected to translate these priorities into actionable initiatives that benefit women across member countries.

The event follows the BRICS Women Working Group Meeting, held on July 6-7, during which senior officials from participating nations reviewed key proposals and exchanged views on priority issues. Recommendations emerging from those deliberations will now be considered by ministers, who will provide policy guidance and shape the future direction of cooperation under the BRICS Women agenda.

Held under India’s Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” the ministerial conference will examine ways to enhance women’s participation in governance, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, financial inclusion, and innovation-driven sectors. Delegates will also discuss strategies to recognise and strengthen women’s role in climate resilience, food security, nutrition, and community development.

Alongside the official sessions, India will showcase its progress in women-led development through a series of thematic exhibitions highlighting achievements in rural livelihoods, science and technology, education, healthcare, nutrition, and skill development. These displays are intended to demonstrate successful models that can inspire greater collaboration among BRICS nations.

The two-day programme will also include plenary discussions and expert-led panel sessions featuring policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and development practitioners. These interactions are expected to encourage knowledge sharing, exchange of best practices, and the creation of new partnerships aimed at accelerating women’s empowerment across the BRICS grouping.