ITC initiatives at COP29

As the United Nation’s small business agency, ITC has planned a number of engagements at COP29, all seeking to include micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the global climate talks. 

Small businesses represent 90% of the companies in the world and generate at least 50% of all jobs, making their inclusion in mitigation and adaptation measures against climate change all the more important. 
 

Some ITC initiatives include: 

• Bringing a delegation of small businesses who will be active in the ITC Pavilion in the Blue Zone, and across the conference. They’ll do meaningful networking and connect with the negotiations, to strengthen the positions of small businesses within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. 

• Supporting countries to integrate trade and MSMEs in their National Determined Contributions (NDCs), with a set of guidelines that can be used by countries. A preliminary version of these guidelines will be shared at COP29, as the global community prepares NDCs for final presentation at COP30, next year in Brazil. 

• Supporting countries to leverage trade and trade policies for the deployment of renewable energy. A new report will show how trade can accelerate the deployment of renewables in developing countries, with examples from seven countries in different continents. 

• Leadership and innovation are two key concepts that support effective climate action. ITC will organize and host a series of events, including a high-level panel during Finance Investment and Trade Day (14 November), discussing innovations and leadership on trade for climate action. ITC will also run workshops for the business sector in the Green Zone. 

• ITC will support the COP29 Presidency initiatives at the conference, particularly the Baku Initiative on Climate Finance Trade and Investment and the Declaration of the SME Coalition on Climate Action. 

• COP29 will serve also as a space for ITC to advance partnerships with different countries on projects that can effectively address their national priorities. This follows on the letter of intent signed at COP28 between ITC and the Green Climate Fund, as well as supporting the ongoing process of accreditation that can catapult climate finance for small businesses.