Within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, a round table was held on “the role of SMEs in the green economy” .
Oku.Az reports that in the discussion panel opinions were exchanged about the benefits of the green transition for SMEs, the responsible approach of companies to the environment, climate financing and the needs of entrepreneurs to create green businesses.
Officials, representatives of international organizations, entrepreneurs and startups with projects related to the “green economy” participated in the event organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (KOBIA) in the “Green Zone”. Manuela Traldi, President of the Italo-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, Orkhan Mammadov, President of the Board of Directors of KOBIA, Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office of South-South Cooperation, Head of Statistical Research and Training, economic and social Participating in the round table were the director of the Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), Zehra Zumrüt Selçuk, the head of the department of the International Trade Center Vanessa Erogbogbo and Jonathan Ortmans, founder and president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. In the speeches, the role of SMEs in the global economy and employment, as well as in the fight against climate change, climate financing, the benefits of the green transition for SMEs, the importance of environmental, social and of corporate governance (ESG) in the green transition of companies, responsible attitude towards the environment and in this area information was provided on the obligations of entrepreneurs.
The event noted that the green transformation of SMEs is possible through joint cooperation at global and national levels, and invited all stakeholders of the SME ecosystem to join the “Baku Coalition Declaration for the green climate transition of SMEs”. forward by KOBIA. It was highlighted that the International Trade Center, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) and the high-level UN climate change advocate, Nigar Arpadarai, have already expressed their support with the signing of the corresponding declaration.
The panel discussed the steps needed to continually support the needs of SMEs during the transition to the “green economy” and increase their environmental responsibility, and answered questions from participants. Tim Cheston, senior research director of the Center for International Development “Growth Lab” at Harvard University, gave a presentation on the global “Green Growth Portal” developed on the basis of cooperation between the Ministry of Economy and the center .
