The 2016 61st World Congress at the United Nations, held in New York City, marked an extraordinary event. It was there that the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) created a business panel made up of seven small business government ministers from six different continents who represented billions of people around the globe. This inaugural event welcomed by the United Nations ECOSOC Council under its leadership of Ambassador Oh Joon for ICSB was co-chaired by the Honorable Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator, United States Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Honorable Dr. Young-Sup Joo, Administrator, Republic of Korea, Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA). Speakers from around the world were asked to share their understanding of the obstacles and challenges that entrepreneurs and small business owners face in their respective countries. Moderated by Dr. Winslow Sargeant, 6th Chief Counsel of the the United States Small Business Office of Advocary, requested that each panelist provide examples of the best practices from their nations, in addition to the strategies used to support and promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the most effective initiatives. This culmination of perspectives was the recognition that supports for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must be elevated to higher levels.

Reading the following proclamation, Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy voiced ICSB’s dream for MSMEs: “Seeing the need for broad SMEs support, ICSB calls on the United Nations to establish a dedicated name day for small and medium enterprises.” Enthusiastically welcomed by the panelists and conference attendees, the proclamation was met with wide acclaim, and the journey to establish such a name day finally began.
In the months that followed, Dr. El Tarabishy deployed “shuttle” diplomacy to create a template that would serve as a starting point for discussion with member states in the UN General Assembly. Leading the proposal and negotiations was the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations, alongside all UN country members. On April 6, 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution announcing June 27 as “Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day” or “MSMEs Day.” Shortly after that, on May 11, 2017, ICSB hosted the MSMEs Knowledge Summit in the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council Chamber that created the basis for MSMEs Day. This summit was co-chaired by the Honorable Linda McMahon, Administrator, United States Small Business Administration (SBA), Honorable Mariano Mayer, National Secretary of Entrepreneurs and SMEs, Government of Argentina.

The first-ever MSMEs Day celebration was held in collaboration with the ICSB 62nd World Congress on June 27, 2017, in Buenos Aires, fitting as Argentina proudly led establishment processes for the name day. Despite this strong showing of support from an international panel of governments, MSMEs are still in need of much political and regulatory help to enhance their narrative and support their establishment of entrepreneurial pursuits. The principles and best practices for MSMEs must be created in a way informed by the MSMEs themselves. Additionally, the purpose of entrepreneurship and the advancement of small businesses must be independent of administration and organization.

On May 12, 2018, ICSB gathered governmental and academic leaders, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and advocates to convene at the United Nations to discuss future supportive measures necessary for the healthy and sustainable growth of MSMEs. MSMEs continue to be vital to the development of the world and the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report is the continuation of the ICSB’s MSMEs Forum and directs its objective to bring all stakeholders and partners together in one place, with one mission and one focus: to promote MSMEs better.