Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of sustainable growth and innovation.


Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of sustainable growth and innovation.


MSME Day 2025 comes at a pivotal moment—just ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla and the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha—amid shifts in the global trading landscape. It offers a timely opportunity to spotlight the vital role of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development, and to catalyze finance, policy support, and enabling conditions they need to thrive. A high-level panel will surface actionable ideas and position MSME priorities at the forefront of upcoming global development agendas.

Background

Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) represent over 90% of all businesses and contribute up to 50% of global GDP. They are vital engines of innovation, employment, and local development—providing essential income and jobs for women, youth, and vulnerable communities. Their collective scale, diversity, and adaptability make them indispensable to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economies.

Yet MSMEs remain underutilized. They face persistent and emerging challenges: limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, low productivity, poor working conditions, and high vulnerability to external shocks. Widespread informality further restricts their access to financial services, legal protections, and public support, limiting their contribution to domestic resource mobilization and broader development goals.

In today’s volatile global landscape—marked by geopolitical tensions, digital transformation, and rising environmental pressures—MSMEs face heightened risks. Reconfigured supply chains, rising costs, weakened demand, and market uncertainty have left many struggling to grow, or even survive. A staggering US$5.7 trillion financing gap persists globally, despite a $4 trillion market opportunity— underscoring the urgent need to scale affordable and innovative finance.

Unlocking MSMEs’ full potential requires coherent, targeted policies with finance as a key enabler. Mechanisms such as blended finance, risk-sharing tools, guarantees, and impact incentives are essential to closing funding gaps. Complementary investments in capacity-building, skills development, and innovation support are equally critical.
With 80% of enterprises operating informally—representing 47% of the global workforce—formalization is essential. Measures such as simplified registration, tailored incentives, socialprotections, digital tools, and stronger labor laws are vital to promote productive growth and decentwork. Ultimately, a whole-of-ecosystem approach is needed to create enabling conditions for MSMEs to thrive and drive inclusive, sustainable development.

Agenda

10:00 – 10:25 | Welcome and Opening

Welcome Remarks: Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, Director, ILO Special Representative to the UN and Director Office for the United Nations
Opening:Moderator: Amson Sibanda, Chief, National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch, Division for Sustainable Development Goals, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations

Member States perspectives (approx. 4 minutes each)
H.E. Ambassador Martin K. Ngoga, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations
Indonesia (tbc)
3-4 minutes video compilation of remarks from heads of agencies: ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDESA, UNDRR, UN Global Compact, and UNIDO

10:25 – 10:30 | Group Photo

10:30 – 11:30 | Panel “Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of sustainable growth and innovation”Moderator: Juan Jose Martinez Badillo, Chief, UNCTAD New York OfficeFederico Perez, CEO, Selvitas (TBC)
Karen Salutan-Krukover, Founder and CEO, EduSkine (TBC)
Adria Powell, President, Cooperative Home Care Associates (TBC)
Guy Gryspeerdt, Vice President, Global Head of Business Resilience, Honeywell International Inc. (TBC)
German Mittelstandt Association BVMW (TBC)
Admassu Yifru, Chief Executive Officer, Capacity Building and Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Industry, Ethiopia (TBC)

11:30 – 11:55 | Interactive Dialogue with Participants

11:55 – 12:00 | Closing & Moderator wrap-up.


Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of sustainable growth and innovation
Date And Time: 2025-07-04 to 2025-07-05
Location: ILO New York Office, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 885 Second Avenue 30 th Floor
To register for this event email your details to copac@copac.coop
Register using webmail: Gmail / AOL / Yahoo / Outlook

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