MSME Day 2025

Jointly organized by Permanent Mission of Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations,

Permanent Mission of Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations,
ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDESA, UNDRR, UN Global Compact, and UNIDO

Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
ILO New York Office, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 30th Floor
Registration is required: https://forms.gle/8FhrSBB6KCah3jXX7

Objective
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, social
protection, digital tools, and stronger labor laws are vital to promote productive growth and decent
work. 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: Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, Director, ILO Special Representative to the UN and
Director Office for the United Nations

Opening Remarks:
Moderator: Amson Sibanda, Chief, National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch, Division for
Sustainable Development Goals, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations

• H.E. Ambassador Martin Ngoga, Permanent Representative of Republic of Rwanda to the
  United Nations
• H.E. Ambassador Hari Prabowo, Charge d’ Affaires, Permanent Mission of the Republic of
  Indonesia to the United Nations
• Video 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 Office

• MSMEs representatives
• Policy and government representatives
• Business support organizations
   

11:30 – 11:55 | Interactive Dialogue with Participants
11:55 – 12:00 | Closing & Moderator wrap-up