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International Trade Centre (ITC)
The COVID19 pandemic has hit the world’s economies and societies hard, and the effects have been the most disruptive in developing countries. The crisis has led governments and businesses alike to try to rebuild economies and to address the climate emergency in doing so.
As the world gradually recovers from the pandemic, support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries, especially in least developed, landlocked, and small island states, is critical. MSMEs are the backbone of economies, representing over 80% of all businesses and employing the majority of the world’s people, particularly women and youth. MSMEs can and must rebuild in a way that prepares them for the looming climate. By supporting MSMEs to transition to a low-carbon economy, they become more competitive and resilient to future crises. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes international trade as an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, and an important enabler of the SDGs.
This side event will highlight how partnerships contribute to an economic transformation that enhances international competitiveness of small businesses and puts them at the centre of a low-carbon transition. It will bring together MSMEs and government representatives to discuss initiatives that highlight the importance of partnerships (SDG 17) to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for and with MSMEs.
Speakers include:
- Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of ITC
- Ms. Yvonne Otieno, Chief Executive Officer, Miyonga Fresh Greens’s (Kenya)
- Mr. Gastón Vizcarra, President, Candela (Peru)
- Mr. Vedant Gandhi, Co-Founder Recycle X and Youth Ecopreneur Awardee, Recycle X (India)
- Mr. Binayak Malla, ITC Lead, GreenToCompete Hub - Nepal
- Mr. Brian-Lee Chandler, ITC National Project Coordinator Barbados – Coconuts project
Register here for the side-event
