News

On 26–27 June 2019, Japan will host the Women’s Forum Kyoto, which is set to focus on supporting female leadership in the fight against climate change. Among those attending as part of the Russian delegation will be Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, Director of the Innosocium Foundation, and member of the Eurasian Women’s Forum Council Elena Marinina, and Corporate Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) Elena Myakotnikova.

«Gender equality is essential for sustainable development. Over the past few decades, the gender gap in the labour market has closed somewhat. However, it is still harder for women to fulfil their potential in society and the economy. Increasing women’s participation in the economy, strengthening their roles in society, and involving them in management and decision‑making processes in all sectors will unquestionably boost economic growth. On top of that though, it will have a positive impact on supporting social stability and achieving sustainable development goals,» said Russian Sherpa in the G20 and Deputy Chief of the Presidential Experts’ Directorate Svetlana Lukash.

The participation of the Innosocium Foundation for the Promotion of Social Development together with the ASI will be the first joint undertaking between the two organizations following the signing of a cooperation agreement at SPIEF 2019, which outlined plans to work together to support female entrepreneurship and social initiatives.

«Female entrepreneurship and leadership — including in the area of climate change — are topics which are firmly rooted in the agenda for Japan’s G20 presidency. The development of women’s initiatives is absolutely essential to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all areas. Russia has accumulated a wealth of positive experience across every sphere, which will be presented at the Forum in Japan. I am confident that the agreement signed at SPIEF 2019 between the Eurasian Women’s Forum Council and the Innosocium Foundation will provide a new and qualitative boost to our partnership, and in matters concerning international cooperation,» said Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council and Chair of the Eurasian Women’s Forum Council under the Federal Assembly Galina Karelova.

The creation and development of a social agenda, together with the promotion of female leadership, form a key area for the Roscongress Foundation, both at its own events, and beyond.

«It is clear that women need to become more greatly involved in all sectors of the economy. The Women’s Forum Kyoto will provide us with the opportunity to demonstrate Russia’s successful experience in developing women’s leadership. We will also be able to continue our work to support international dialogue on building the women’s community, strengthening international socio-cultural ties, and fostering partnership between women to tackle social issues, including climate change. A key objective of ours is to help women play a bigger role in socioeconomic development and to strengthen Russia’s strategic role in the global women’s community,» said Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Innosocium Foundation Elena Marinina.

The Women’s Forum Kyoto will result in a report and a range of proposals being drawn up for Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe. These will focus on supporting female entrepreneurship and broadening female participation in the economy, with the view to the topics being included in the G20 agenda.

«The Forum provides a unique platform for dialogue and studying the rich experience that G20 nations have amassed in supporting female entrepreneurship and greater involvement of women in their respective economies. It is vital that we take advantage of the opportunities provided by this event in order to promote the interests of the Russian women’s business community and to collaborate on effective solutions which take into account the experience, features, and interests of every country,» said Corporate Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) Elena Myakotnikova.

The participation of representatives from the Roscongress Foundation in the Women’s Forum Kyoto marks a logical continuation in the organization’s efforts to develop the female agenda, overcome gender inequality, promote women’s leadership, and strengthen partnership between international women’s communities, which began at the W20 Summit in Tokyo last March.

24.06.2019