Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2026; June 27th.

FORUM: "Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development." Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2026. MSMEs are the backbone of economies worldwide, representing more than 90 per cent of businesses and contributing significantly to employment, livelihoods and economic growth. As the world confronts intersecting economic, social, environmental and technological challenges, empowering MSMEs through innovation and sustainable industrial development is essential to building resilient economies, advancing Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and accelerating progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises are key sources of jobs, income, and local growth—especially for women, young people, and vulnerable groups. Their size and flexibility help build strong, fair, and sustainable communities. However, many of these businesses face serious challenges. They often struggle to get loans, deal with poor infrastructure, and work under tough conditions. Many operate informally, which limits their access to funding, legal rights, and government support. Today’s global challenges—like political tensions, climate change, and digital shifts—make it even harder for them to survive. Supply chain issues, higher costs, and uncertain markets have left many at risk. A huge global funding gap remains, despite clear opportunities to grow. At the same time, rapid advances in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and green innovation offer unprecedented opportunities for MSMEs to increase productivity, improve resilience, access new markets and support sustainable industrial development. Ensuring that MSMEs can benefit from these transformations—and are not left behind by them—requires targeted investments, supportive policies and strengthened partnerships. To help these businesses succeed, better policies and more accessible funding are crucial. Support for skills training, innovation, and fairer rules can also make a big difference. Since many operate outside the formal system, making it easier to register, access benefits, and follow labor laws will help create better jobs and stronger economies. MSMEs are powerful engines of innovation, job creation and sustainable development. By expanding access to technology, digital infrastructure, affordable finance and market opportunities, governments and partners can help MSMEs drive inclusive growth, strengthen resilience and contribute to sustainable industrial development.Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #smallbusinesses, #27June, #MSMEday, #MSMEs.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2026; June 27th.

Today we celebrate the critical role played by micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises — lifting up communities, sustaining families and driving economic progress. As engines of job-creation, they are critical to every country’s future, including as the best providers of employment pathways for youth.

But these businesses face big challenges — from difficulty accessing funds to scale-up operations, to the transformative effects of artificial intelligence on current business models, to steep tariffs and rising inflation.

Global instability is also taking a toll. The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted trade routes and supply chains, increased energy prices, and sent costs skyrocketing.

Governments and businesses need to work together to build resilience against global shocks, diversify export markets, tap into new sources of inputs and raw materials, and scale-up skills development to support entrepreneurs — especially women and youth.

Financial systems should be strengthened so businesses can access affordable credit and reduce borrowing costs.

And as this year’s theme reminds us, we need to help businesses harness the power of innovation and digital technology to compete and succeed in global markets.

Above all, in a world of increasing uncertainty, it’s time to put peace first, and enable global markets and transportation systems to operate efficiently and safely.

Together, we can ensure that micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises remain engines of prosperity and opportunity for generations to come.

António Guterres.

EVENTS: At UNHQ On Saturday, June 27th, the MSME Day 2026 will be observed under the theme “Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future: Economic Empowerment for the Next Generation of MSMEs.” The day highlights that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises make up 90% of global businesses, 60--70% of employment, and 50% of GDP. Main event Registration.

On Friday, 26 June 2026 from 10:00 – 18:00 EDT | 16:00 – 23:59 CEST in the ECOSOC Chamber at UN Headquarters, New York, will be held the 9th edition of International Forum on MSME entitled ''Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future: Economic Empowerment for the Next Generation of MSMEs''. Get the Agenda Programme.

On July 6th, 2026 from10:00 - 11:15 EDT in Conference F at the United Nations Secretariat,a High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Side Event entitled ''Empowering Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development'' will be held. The sub-themes:

• MSMEs in a Challenging World
• Innovation, Technology and Sustainable Industrial Development
• Bridging the Digital and Technology Divide
• Access to Affordable Finance and Market Opportunities

 Get the concept Note

In Geneva, At UNIDO HQ 

On Thursday Jun 25th, 2026, from 09:30 to 12:30 from the UNIDO, a hybrid-event via Microsoft Teams | and a in-person event in the Conference room 4, C-Building, 7th floor, at rhe Vienna International Centre (VIC), Wagramer Straße 5, 1220 Vienna, Austrian will be held. The UN MSME Day 2026 Celebration will bring together high-level government officials, senior representatives of international and regional organizations, development finance institutions, private sector leaders, and development partners engaged in MSME development and sustainable industrialization.

The UN MSME Day 2026 Celebration aims to:

1. Recognize and celebrate the critical role of MSMEs;
2. Present UNIDO flagship initiatives, such as the ONE World Sustainability Awards;
3. Facilitate the signing of partnership agreements and the announcement of new projects;
4. Showcase experiences and impact through the voices of UNIDO beneficiaries;
5. Present international best practices in MSME support, including experiences from the China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC); and
6. Promote high-level dialogue on the role of MSMEs as drivers of sustainable industrial development.

Registration: ONLINE PARTICIPATION

REGISTER HERE TO RECEIVE A MICROSOFT TEAMS LINK
IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION: REGISTER HERE
Related Documents: MSME day celebration

For further information, please contact:
Raymond TAVARES, Chief, MSME Development and Job Creation Unit
Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME)

Giorgi TODUA, Industrial Development Expert
Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME)

LIVESTREAM: (Part 1) International Forum on Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.

On June 26th from 13:00 to 23:59pm CEST at the ECOSOC Chamber will be held the International Forum on the occasion of Micro Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSME) Day 2026.The International Forum on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2026 brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, scholars, business leaders, youth, and international organizations to celebrate the vital role of MSMEs in economic growth, innovation, job creation, and sustainable development. Held in collaboration with Member States, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), and global stakeholders, the Forum will explore the theme, "Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future: Economic Empowerment for the Next Generation of MSMEs," highlighting innovative growth, inclusive prosperity, and youth empowerment while examining how the next generation of MSMEs can thrive and lead in an increasingly dynamic, technology-driven, and interconnected global economy. Watch (Part 1) International Forum on Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

(Part 2) International Forum on Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.

 Watch (Part 2) International Forum on Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises!