On June 27th,Re:Think 2024,the main conference of the UNDP MSMEs Week,hosted by the United Nations Development Program(UNDP)and the Administrative Committee of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone and supported by China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges(CICETE)and Social Value Investment Alliance(SVIA),was held in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone.The conference was opened simultaneously with the UN MSMEs Day in Beijing,aiming to provide more international perspectives and professional resources for the majority of MSMEs.
It was noted that the day's meeting was the main event of Re:Think 2024,the UNDP MSMEs Week.Under the theme of"Small Business,Big Change",this MSMEs Week featured a series of activities,including the main conference,MSMEs Sustainability Training,INSPIRO MSMEs Sustainability Innovation Matchmaking Summit,Re:Think International Creative Bazaar,and SPARK Chengdu International Entrepreneurs'Carnival,etc.,representatives from the United Nations,governments,industry associations,academic institutions and international organizations gathered to talk about sustainable development of MSMEs,with more than 300 global MSMEs participating online and offline.
Launch of the MSMEs Sustainability Initiative
Working Together to Promote Global Competitiveness of Enterprises
According to the data,MSMEs account for 90%of the total number of enterprises in the world,provide 60-70%of the world's jobs and contribute 50%of the world's gross domestic product(GDP).According to the data,MSMEs account for 90%of the total number of enterprises in the world,provide 60-70%of the world's jobs and contribute 50%of the world's gross domestic product(GDP).In order to let the public know more about the great contribution made by MSMEs to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals,the United Nations General Assembly has designated June 27 every year as"MSMEs Day"since 2017,and this year is the eighth United Nations MSMEs Day.
At the opening ceremony of the main meeting,Beate Trankmann,the resident representative of the UNDP in China,said,"By empowering micro,small and medium-sized enterprises(MSMEs)to thrive,we can not only drive the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,but also build an economic system that is inclusive of all people and proactively respond to the challenges posed by climate change."Zhang Yi,Deputy Director of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges(CIETEC),said,"Taking the United Nations MSMEs Day as an opportunity,a week-long thematic activity will be carried out to discuss how to fully explore the innovation capacity of MSMEs,cultivate new growth opportunities,so that the fruits of the era's development can reach more people,and help realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)."
It is worth noting that on the day of the event,the Initiative for Sustainable Development of Micro,Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(MSMEs)was officially released.It is worth noting that on the day of the event,the Initiative for Sustainable Development of Micro,Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(MSMEs)was officially released.Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone,as the initiator of the Initiative,will strengthen communication,coordination and cooperation in the areas of optimizing the policy environment,strengthening financial support,supporting technological innovation,facilitating market expansion,and guiding social responsibility in order to help MSMEs enhance their global competitiveness.Entrepreneurs from all over the world responded to the initiative through online videos.
In the keynote speech session,Ma Weihua,member of the UN SDG Impact Steering Group,Wang Shi,founder of Vanke Group,and Shen Feng,Executive Vice President of NIO and Chairman of the Quality Committee,delivered keynote speeches from the perspectives of sustainable finance to help MSMEs'high-quality development,how MSMEs can cope with the climate crisis,and how large enterprises can empower MSMEs,respectively.In addition,in the roundtable discussion session,representatives from Lenovo Group,JA Solar Technology,LONGi Green Energy Technology,Fumei Green Construction,and Shenzhen Forestry conducted in-depth dialogues on how to help MSMEs'sustainable development through the ecological chain and industry standards.
Continuously enhancing the region's openness to the outside world
Achievement of a number of sustainable development innovations
During the MSMEs Week,various interactive and experiential activities have inspired the enthusiasm of businesses,communities,schools and other groups and individuals to participate in sustainable development.
SDG Punching Area,Camping Communication Area,SDG Game Area,Camping Food Truck......On the afternoon of the day,a SPARK Chengdu International Entrepreneur Carnival was held in Flag Formation Square of the China-Europe Center in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone,which provided international entrepreneurs a relaxed and enjoyable communication platform through creating a camping style venue.
Off-site events were also popular.At the Re:Think International Creative Bazaar,traders from more than a dozen countries,including South Korea,Japan,Germany,France,Australia and Kazakhstan,exhibited.While showcasing exotic cultures and specialty goods,the event also focused on their entrepreneurial stories,concentrating on the important role of Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs)in economic development.
It is understood that as early as 2019,the United Nations Development Program,the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges and the Administrative Committee of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone jointly created the"United Nations Development Program Sustainable Development Innovation Demonstration Project",which continues to enhance the innovative power and global vision of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone,and to expand the foreign relations.
In recent years,the SPARK UNDP Sustainable Development Innovation Laboratory(Chengdu)under the project has achieved a number of sustainable development innovations,successfully promoting the rapid integration of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone into the global system in the areas of sustainable development,scientific and technological innovation,international exchanges,and the construction of the Free Trade Zone.Up to now,the lab has set up an advisory committee,completed 9 research reports,and conducted more than 50 trainings on capacity building for sustainable development;reached more than 2,300 global enterprises and served more than 1,000 Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone enterprises to expand their global horizons;carried out more than 300 Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone enterprise matchmaking and attraction activities,and contributed 2 reform and innovation cases to the region for replication and popularization throughout the country and the province.In addition,the Lab has established the INSPIRO Sustainable Development Young Entrepreneurs Network,organized a number of Re:Think annual flagship series of conferences,and created the SPARK Zero-Carbon Future Innovation Space,which occupies an area of about 2,000 square meters in the China-Europe Center.
The relevant person in charge of Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone said that the event will further deepen the close ties between Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone and global MSMEs.Chengdu Hi-tech Zone will continue to optimize the business environment,promote the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into the whole process of enterprise operation and management,promote the healthy and sustainable development of enterprises,and continuously inject a strong impetus for the economic and social development of the region.(Du Can Chen Yunpeng)
