The Economy of Equal Opportunities: Results of the IV GBWC Plenary Meeting in Astana

The IV Plenary Meeting of the Global Businesswomen Council (GBWC) was held in Astana, bringing together world leaders for the economic future of women. The event was held under the auspices of the National Commission for Women's Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main topic of discussion was the expansion of women's economic opportunities as a driver of sustainable economic growth and investment attraction, which consolidated Kazakhstan's position on the map of the global dialogue on the role of women in the economy. The meeting was attended by representatives of international financial organizations, the UN system, government agencies, national companies, international corporations, investors, development institutions and associations of women entrepreneurs.

During the meeting, participants discussed in detail the participation of women and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in supply chains, localization of production, job creation, the ESG agenda, regional development and investment attraction.

According to Zhanna Baydasheva, founder of the Global Businesswomen Council, member of the National Commission for Women's Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Director of the Kazakhstan Foreign Investors' Council Association, Kazakhstan has significant potential for involving women in industrial development, supply chains and localization of production. The importance of this agenda was also emphasized by Aida Balayeva, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Chairperson of the National Commission for Women's Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to her, women's entrepreneurship is not only an important component of the modern economy, but also a powerful source of innovation, social responsibility and sustainable development; supporting women's initiatives is therefore an investment in the future of Kazakhstan, strengthening its competitiveness and creating a solid foundation for further economic growth.

The meeting officially announced the launch of the G-Index Institute: an independent research, analytical and methodological infrastructure. The Institute is being created to prepare analytical materials and assess the potential for localization of production, supplier development, and the socio-economic impact of ongoing initiatives.

This large-scale initiative has received broad support at all levels. Among the structures supporting it are leading financial institutions (the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank) and international organizations (the UN, UNDP, UN Women, CICA). The project was also supported by major foreign and national companies such as Alstom, Air Liquide, Polpharma, Shell, Veon and Solidcore Resources, as well as relevant government agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including the Ministries of Education; National Economy; Trade and Integration; Science and Higher Education; Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development; and Industry and Construction.

Additionally, as part of the creation of a new international partnership platform, the formation of the International Advisory Board of the G-Index Institute was announced. This expert advisory platform will bring together international organizations, development banks, the corporate sector, development institutions and the academic community, becoming a platform for the exchange of best practices and the formation of joint solutions in the field of sustainable economic development.

Following the event, memoranda are planned to be signed between the G-Index Institute and interested government agencies and investors. The IV GBWC Plenary Meeting once again confirmed the importance of intersectoral partnership between the state, business, international organizations and development institutions for sustainable economic growth and the development of Kazakhstan's regions.