UN MSME Day 2025: Digital, Green & Inclusive Growth
July 3, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the global entrepreneurship ecosystem as New Delhi hosted the UN World MSME Day, bringing together over 300 leaders from around the world to champion the cause of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The summit, themed “Empowering MSMEs for a Sustainable and Digital Future,” delved into the pressing issues of digitalization, green innovation, women-led enterprises, and global trade, showcasing India’s leadership and emphasizing tech-driven, inclusive, and sustainable pathways for MSMEs worldwide.
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, MSMEs have become the backbone of the global economy, accounting for a significant proportion of employment, GDP, and innovation. Despite their importance, these enterprises often face numerous challenges, including limited access to finance, technology, and markets. The UN World MSME Day 2025 aimed to address these issues and provide a platform for global leaders to share best practices, showcase innovative solutions, and forge partnerships that would drive sustainable growth and development.
The summit kicked off with a keynote address by the Hon’ble Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, who highlighted the key role MSMEs play in driving economic growth and development. The minister emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges faced by MSMEs, including access to finance, technology, and markets, and stressed the importance of digitalization, green innovation, and women-led enterprises in driving sustainable growth.
The first session of the summit focused on “Digitalization: Unlocking Opportunities for MSMEs.” The panel discussion brought together industry experts and thought leaders to share insights on the impact of digitalization on MSMEs, particularly in areas such as e-commerce, fintech, and digital marketing. The session emphasized the need for MSMEs to adopt digital technologies to remain competitive, citing examples of successful digital transformations in various sectors.
The second session, “Green Innovation: MSMEs at the Forefront of Sustainability,” showcased innovative solutions and technologies developed by MSMEs to reduce their environmental footprint. The session highlighted the role of green innovation in driving sustainable growth, reducing waste, and promoting eco-friendly practices. It also emphasized the need for policymakers and industry leaders to provide support and incentives for MSMEs to adopt green technologies and practices.
The third session, “Women-led Enterprises: Empowering MSMEs for Inclusive Growth,” brought together women entrepreneurs and thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on the challenges and opportunities faced by women-led MSMEs. The session emphasized the need for greater support and recognition for women-led enterprises, citing examples of successful women-led MSMEs and initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment.
The final session, “Global Trade: MSMEs as Key Players in Global Value Chains,” focused on the role of MSMEs in global trade and their potential as key players in global value chains. The session emphasized the need for policymakers and industry leaders to provide support and incentives for MSMEs to participate in global trade, citing examples of successful MSMEs that have leveraged global trade to drive growth and development.
The summit also featured a series of breakout sessions, workshops, and exhibitions that showcased innovative solutions, products, and services developed by MSMEs from around the world. The sessions and events provided a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among MSMEs, policymakers, and industry leaders.
In conclusion, the UN World MSME Day 2025 was a significant event that brought together global leaders to champion the cause of MSMEs and promote digital, green, and inclusive growth. The summit emphasized the need for policymakers and industry leaders to provide support and incentives for MSMEs to adopt digital technologies, green innovation, and women-led enterprises, and to participate in global trade. As the world moves towards a sustainable and digital future, it is imperative that MSMEs are empowered to play a key role in driving economic growth and development.
