The World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) holds a unique and distinguished position as the only international NGO with consultative and observer status across a wide spectrum of United Nations agencies and global intergovernmental organizations. For over four decades, WASME has served as a vital bridge between the world's MSMEs and the international policy-making ecosystem, ensuring that the voices, needs and aspirations of small and medium enterprises are actively represented at the highest global platforms.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The goals are designed to be a blueprint for a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. Achieving the SDGs will require a global partnership between individuals, multinationals and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

While the SDGs are a global effort, MSMEs may face more challenges when it comes to adapting to sustainable development. This is due to their limited resources and capacity, as well as their typically higher reliance on traditional, unsustainable business models. However, there are also many opportunities for MSMEs to contribute to the SDGs, such as through energy efficiency improvements, the development of sustainable products and services and the provision of employment and training opportunities in local communities.