DCED Webinar: Renewing the SME Agenda for a Just Transition

This webinar happened on 25 September 2025.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for more than 90 percent of businesses and provide around 70 percent of jobs worldwide. As climate change, evolving market demands, and social inclusion goals increasingly shape economies, supporting SMEs to successfully embark on the green and just transition is essential for their competitiveness and long-term resilience.

This 90-minute webinar presented key findings and recommendations from the latest DCED report on how business environment reforms can create the conditions for SMEs to lead this transition. Drawing on case studies from Malaysia, Iraq, and Peru, the session shared practical lessons and examples of innovative approaches, including bundled support that integrates finance, skills, and regulation, co-designing policies with SMEs, and scaling pilots into broader systemic reforms.

Moderated by Pilar Salgado Otonel of the DCED Business Environment Working Group, participants also heard from:

• Jana Krajcovicova, who will present the DCED report’s key findings and recommendations on enabling business environments for SMEs.
• Kausalya Gopal, who will discuss Malaysia’s experience in developing ESG capacities among SMEs and strengthening policy frameworks.
• Amaal Bani Awwad, who will share about ILO’s approach to green business development, inclusive enterprise policies, and piloting innovative support programs in Iraq.

The webinar was designed for policymakers, SME agencies, development partners, donors, private sector leaders, and sustainability practitioners who are seeking actionable insights and policy tools to build enabling environments where SMEs can thrive in greener and more inclusive economies.