Urban agglomerations around the world are being forced to confront increasingly complex challenges caused by climate change, rapid urbanization, resource distribution problems, social inequality and economic transformations.
As Olaylar informs, Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), said this during the panel discussion "Empowering SMEs as Key Actors in Building Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Cities" held as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
"Addressing these problems requires a systematic and coordinated approach involving governments, international institutions, civil society, academia and, most importantly, the private sector. We are deeply convinced that small and medium-sized enterprises are among the main drivers of sustainable transformation of the urban environment. SMEs contribute not only to economic growth and employment, but also to innovation, the green transition, digitalization, the development of local services and the strengthening of social cohesion in urban communities," Mammadov said.
