MSMEs in the Informal Sector: Formalization Ensure Sustainable Finance and Decent Jobs?

About 2 billion workers, or over 60 percent of the world’s adult labor force, operate in the informal sector –at least part-time, according to the ILO. The COVID-19 pandemic hit informal workers particularly hard, especially women. Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME), both formal and informal, make up over 90% of all firms around the globe and offer employment to one-third of 1.2 billion people in the world who work in the informal sector. They generate services for other sectors like small and large industries, retail, tourism, transportation, construction, etc., and contribute to over 30% of GDP and more than 70% of all jobs created in developing countries. MSMEs were heavily impacted by the pandemic and continue to face existential challenges on various fronts including but not limited to business formalization.

MSMEs, both formal and informal, make up over 90% of all firms around the globe1 and contribute to more than half of the GDP in most countries irrespective of income2. As many countries struggle to cope with the growing debt burdens and limited fiscal space to finance the SDGs, the important role of MSMEs as catalytic forces for achieving the SDGs cannot be stressed enough. Despite formalization gathering pace, MSMEs and those in the informal sector also continue to struggle to access formal finance. Without the appropriate regulatory reforms, social protection measures, access to formal finance, and capacity building in tools such as financial literacy and numeracy tools to help manage finances effectively, inclusive growth and a decent work environment for those in the sector will remain a challenge. As part of the Development Cooperation Strategy 2020-25, the ILO is forging partnerships that advance policy objectives and coherence within the framework of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) that promote Financing Decent Work. In this panel, the speakers will share global and on-the-ground perspectives and explore steps countries are taking through regulatory reforms, access to finance, and capacity building to ensure sustainable finance and decent work for MSMEs in the informal sector.

Register here!

Speakers:

H.E. Mr. Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the UN (TBC)
Ms. Chantal Line Carpentier, Chief, UNCTAD New York Office of the Secretary-General
Ms. Adriana Marina, Founder of Hecho por Nosotros & animaná, Argentina
Mr. Amar G. Prabhu, Principal of Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute Kurla, Mumbai, India
Ms. Sandie Ejang Elobu, CEO, Western Silk Road, Ltd., Uganda
Ms. Nana Efua Brown-Orleans, Program Lead, Duapa Workspace, Ghana
Ms. Estella Kabagaya Eldradaa, Founder, Mama Children Village, Uganda

Organizers: NGO Committee on Financing for Development, Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (DBA Women First International Fund), Salesian Missions Inc, Africa Development Interchange Network, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sisters of Charity Federation

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: The NGO Committee on Financing for Development is a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Likewise, for more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development/NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development/Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/NY, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

Advancing the Blue Economy in Kenya

This UNOC2022 side event aims to promote awareness and discussion on how actors can contribute to unlock the full economic possibilities of coastal and marine resources through interventions that involve effective participation of all relevant people while protecting these resources for present and future generation, while developing ecosystem resilience.

The event is aligned with UNOC22 interactive dialogue “Promoting and strengthening sustainable ocean-based economies, in particular for small island developing States and least developed countries” and it will be centered on a technical debate with the thematic focus “How innovative solutions applied to the blue economy sector can help harnessing its potential and be beneficial for coastal communities in an inclusive, participatory, and sustainable manner?

Please register by 27^th June 2022 here: https://forms.gle/nyhoS5MJtWdm5QrLA

After successful registration confirmation, you will receive a guest link. All confirmed guests are requested to login 10 minutes before the event time using the link that will be provided after registration confirmation. Please note that the event will be conducted in English.

The Go Blue Kenya project is a partnership between the European Union and the Government of Kenya to advance the blue economy agenda in Kenya through coastal development. The overall objective of the 4 year Go Blue project is to contribute to coastal economic development in an inclusive, integrated, participatory, and sustainable manner. The project is funded by the European Union.

Contacts:
Camões — Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, I. P.
Paula Alexandra Ribeiro Mota Vilela de Oliveira
Tourism and Cultural Heritage Go Blue Component Leader
Paula.Oliveira@camoes.mne.pt

__________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com.

World Maritime Day: Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the professionalism and sacrifice of the two million seafarers who serve on the world’s merchant fleet. Shipping has continued to transport more than 80% of world trade, including vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery – but hundreds of thousands of seafarers face a humanitarian crisis as they have been stranded at sea, unable to get off the ships they operate with contracts extended by many months. This needs to be addressed urgently, through Governments designating seafarers as essential workers and ensuring safe crew changes can take place.

The theme for this year, “Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future,” reflects a clear need to raise awareness of seafarersʹ crucial role in world trade and increase their visibility. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew change crisis in 2020 has highlighted seafarersʹ exceptional contribution as key and essential workers on the front line of delivering vital goods through a pandemic and in ordinary times. The international community has seen how the ability for shipping services and seafarers to ensure the functioning of the global supply chains has been central to responding to, and eventually overcoming, this pandemic. This could not happen without the professionalism and dedication of the world’s seafarers.

The World Maritime theme for 2021 will provide the opportunity to focus on seafarers as the people at the heart of shipping, while also allowing for activities to delve into specific topics relevant to the role of the seafarer in safety, maritime security, environmental protection and seafarersʹ well-being; and the future of seafaring against a backdrop of increased digitalization and automation. The theme also links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on education and training; SDG 8 related to decent work; SDG 9 on innovation and industry, which links to the promotion of a resilient maritime sector; and SDG 5 on gender equality, linked to efforts to promote seafaring as a career for all, including women, in particular.

To learn more about the IMO, the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, and why/how the UN commemorates World Maritime Day, please visit un.org/en/observances/maritime-day.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com.

Recovering Tourism for Sustainable Development: Safety, resilience, and incentives

Virtual side-event on the margins of the High-level Political Forum

Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world, impacting economies, international travel, creative industries, and the protection of nature. Recovering tourism must consider building back better and be a driving force to achieve sustainable development.

In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDG target 8.9 stablished to “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”, and SDG target 12.b. calls to “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”

Sustainable tourism calls for partnerships and commitment from Governments, the UN system, and all relevant stakeholders. The side event will provide a platform to share views and experiences on how safety, resilience and incentives can be addressed to recovering tourism for sustainable development, including through harnessing national cultural and natural assets.

Register here: unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Taw2rMxHTkSoBKhfS23qPA?_x_zm_rtaid=mp1140ZXTRe0vKjPhaeqfA.1625083204505.2494613014130801cc63cbb406979426&_x_zm_rhtaid=265

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org.

World Water Day

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater.

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

View the 2021 World Water Day toolkit and explore this year’s slated events here. All are welcome to participate!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP.

The International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development 2021: Inclusively Creative, for Global Recovery

Setting the Scene

· The resolution 74/198 on International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, 2021, was envisioned as a rallying point behind the development of a creative economy as a way to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect for all human rights.

· With the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some boom and bust creative industries. Some industries have shown tremendous growth, such as virtual music and apps development; some industries face tremendous challenges, for instance, industries dependent on the tourism sector, such as performing arts and crafts.

· Most creative industry players are either small-medium enterprises, self-employed people, and freelancers, who have more limited financial capacity to weather the impacts of a prolonged crisis.

· It is important to ensure a meaningful and impactful implementation of the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development toward a sustainable and resilient recovery by among others optimizing opportunism and addressing main challenges in creative economy.

The virtual side event will discuss:

· Outcome of the Friends of Creative Economy (FCE) Meeting 2020 held on 11-12 November 2020.

· Outcome of the Creative Forum held on 30 November 2020.

· Implementation of the resolution, including roadmap for the implementation of the resolution.

· Expectation by countries, possible collaborations, relevant events, with a summary of the discussion.

On Dec. 9, join the Zoom meeting here.

Agenda

9:00 – 9:10 Opening Remark by H.E. Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York

9:10 – 9:50 Panel Discussion
Mr. Candra Negara, Director for Inter-Institutional Relations, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia

Briefing on the outcome of the Friends of Creative Economy (FCE) Meeting 2020

Ms. Petra Kežman – Head of Department for Public Diplomacy and International Cooperation in Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

Briefing on the International Conference, “Symptoms of Creativity”

Marisa Henderson, PhD – Chief, Creative Economy, Division of International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD

Implementation of Resolution 74/198

Mr. Ernesto Ottone – Assistant-Director General for Culture, UNESCO

9:50 – 10:25 Discussion
10:25 – 10:30 Virtual Photo Session & Closing

____________________________________________________________________________________________

CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-New York, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN.

tourism