Summary
On 27 June 2025, in celebration of the UN MSME Day, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), together with the OECD and the World Bank Centre for Financial Reporting Reform (CFRR), participated in a high-level panel discussion at the invitation of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
The discussion focused on the critical role of SMEs in the sustainability transition, and explored how international organizations and the accountancy profession can support them on this journey.
Director Nan Li Collins and Elena Botvina from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) emphasized:
- The need to view SMEs not just as reporters, but as leaders in sustainability.
- The importance of ecosystem coherence, interoperable frameworks, and simplified reporting tools.
- That sustainability reporting must be a strategic enabler for growth and resilience - not an added burden. The value of capacity building, peer learning, and digital tools adapted to SMEs’ realities.
- The importance of integrating sustainability into education and professional training, including through trainer-of-trainers initiatives and collaboration with PAOs.
Co-organizer(s):
IFAC, OECD, World Bank Centre for Financial Reporting Reform (CFRR)
Language(s)
English