FORUM: "MSMEs and the SDGs." Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day 2024. Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of every community and key drivers of sustainable development at local level. For them to succeed and gain access to the global economy they need to be future-ready through the adoption of new technologies, sustainable and innovative practices and resilient strategies to navigate today’s economic landscape and seize emerging opportunities. As we commemorate the 2024 International MSME Day, we are just six years away from the 2030 deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and progress is lagging. Many countries continue to face a range of unique and interconnected development challenges that include a cost-of-living crisis, constrained fiscal space, obstacles to accessing new sources of development and climate financing, and conflicts. Economic, social and environmental challenges are compounding mounting poverty and hunger. The 2024 MSME Day offers an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on how key stakeholders, including policy makers, large companies, financial institutions, and the international community can support micro-, small and medium-sized businesses to advance the 2030 Agenda and contribute to achieving the SDGs, including poverty eradication and decent work for all.
Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day 2024; June 27th.
Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are central to economies around the world.
Today, we recognize their vital contributions in creating jobs, driving economic growth, and empowering women, youth and marginalized communities.
This year’s theme focuses on the role of these enterprises in eradicating poverty and achieving the Sustainable Developing Goals. In times of crises – from cost-of living to climate change to debt distress – micro, small and medium-sized enterprises have demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Yet many continue to face limited access to finance, technology, markets and supply chains. These enterprises require policies, support structures and investments that promote their growth and formalization – and, in turn, help communities prosper, uplift the most vulnerable, and pave the way for more sustainable and just livelihoods.
As we celebrate Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our support to these entities, accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind.
EVENT: At UNHQ New York On June 27th, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT, Conference Room 5, a plenary session entitled ''Leveraging the Power and Resilience of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to Accelerate Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises.'' will explore ways that MSMEs, a sector that represents over 90% of all businesses globally, can meaningfully contribute innovative solutions to the challenges of our time and drive forward inclusive growth and shared prosperity. Read the Concept Note and Watch the event!
At UN GENEVA; On June 27th, from 10:00 - 18:00 PM CEST at ILO Governing body room (morning) in the Palais des Nations, room XVII (afternoon), an in-person event will be held under the theme "Human-Centered Impact: Advancing the UN SDGs through MSMEs".
As we steer our ship into a new development course in a changing world, the importance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the circular economy is crystal clear. MSMEs, which account for 90% of businesses, more than 70% of employment, and 50% of GDP worldwide, remain the core of the economy for most societies. A human-centered approach is central to the evolving 'circular economy,' emphasizing the importance of individuals and communities in driving sustainable transformation. Considering people's well-being and prioritizing inclusive participation ensures that new systems align and contextualize local culture and personal/institutional needs. Read the Concept Note for Geneva event and the Programme for Geneva event!
On June 27th, from 14:00 - 16:00 PM CEST, the UNCTAD and the Empretec Global Network will held a virtual-event to mark the Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day 2024. This event will bring together representatives from international organizations, the public sector, industry experts, tech pioneers and future-driven thought leaders to explore the best strategies for MSMEs to thrive and discuss the design of supportive business environments. It will focus on the need for small businesses to digitalize, the up-skilling and re-skilling of MSMEs, women entrepreneurs in the logistic sector and innovative financing for MSMEs. The Empretec Global Network supports MSMEs and start-ups in their development, spotlighting the importance of creating conducive business ecosystems where these enterprises can access education, funding, talent, innovation and peer-to-peer networks to scale up. Empretec is recognized by United Nations General Assembly resolutions since 2012 as a tool for sustainable development of entrepreneurship. Explore the agenda Programme and Register to participate!
This workshop, organized by UN Trade and Development, the International Council for Small Business, and other partners, will celebrate the International Day of MSMEs 2024. The sessions will discuss the role, potential, and challenges of MSMEs in contributing to achieving the SDGs and other internationally agreed-upon commitments, with a particular focus on the circular economy.
Participants will include international experts and representatives from all stakeholder groups.
A circular economy entails markets that give incentives to reusing products, rather than scrapping them and then extracting new resources. In such an economy, all forms of waste, such as clothes, scrap metal and obsolete electronics, are returned to the economy or used more efficiently. This can provide a way to not only protect the environment, but use natural resources more wisely, develop new sectors, create jobs and develop new capabilities.
“The goods of today are the resources of tomorrow at yesterday's resource prices.”
UNCTAD’s work on the circular economy started in 2015 with a collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on resource-circularity potentials in large economies like India and China.
Circularity is already part of many lines of work within UNCTAD, such as activities on tackling fossil fuel and fisheries subsidies. Resource circularity cannot be promoted in international value chains just by promoting and enacting national rules. While companies have made strides in improving their social and environmental footprints, privatizing public policy through voluntary sustainability standards and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) falls short from this task. In a world where most trade happens in parts and components in highly globalized value chains, promoting global resource circularity goes through international rules and cooperation, as well as individuals and consumers empowered with education.
UNCTAD works on the circular economy by encouraging discussions and activities seeking to bring value out of waste streams, by encouraging discussions around collaborative economy sectors, by the examination of innovate business models and encouragement of consumer awareness and behavioural shifts. In partnership with other international organizations, UNCTAD’s work on the circular economy at the national and multilateral level brings this important theme to the service of the international community.
UNCTAD’s work on the circular economy contributes to the research and analysis published by The United Nations Economist Network.
