During COP29, the PVBLIC Foundation and the International Trade Centre (ITC) formalized a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering the competitiveness and resilience of Micro, Small, and Medium-Size Enterprises (MSMEs) in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable regions. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to foster inclusive economic growth, promote sustainable trade, and support the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The signing ceremony featured remarks from Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC; Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Executive Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation; and Dr. Hyginus “Gene” Leon, Executive Director of the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP).
Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC, Urges Immediate Action for MSMEs
In her remarks, Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton highlighted the urgency of this collaboration, especially given the climate and economic crises impacting MSMEs worldwide. “The seeds of this collaboration were sown this past May during the SIDS4 conference in Antigua and Barbuda,” she noted. “That experience underscored the existential challenges facing SIDS and reinforced the need for immediate, transformative action to secure a sustainable future for these vulnerable communities.” She emphasized that the partnership will empower MSMEs to engage in sustainable trade, gain access to vital data, and secure financing needed for resilience and growth.
The partnership outlines a comprehensive approach to support MSMEs by enhancing their global competitiveness while building resilience against environmental and economic shocks.
Key objectives include:
Enhancing MSME Competitiveness: Providing MSMEs with support and resources to improve their performance in trade, sustainability, and innovation.
Achieving Inclusive Economic Development: Creating resilient and sustainable economic models for developing countries, particularly SIDS, through joint PVBLIC-ITC initiatives.
Fostering Data-Driven Development: Promoting data accessibility and application to inform policy and business decisions for MSMEs.
The partnership between PVBLIC Foundation and ITC will draw on both organizations’ strengths across several critical initiatives, including:
Support for DBRP: Linking ITC’s networks and ongoing projects with DBRP’s initiatives for SIDS, strengthening capacity for climate resilience and economic sustainability.
Data Collaboration: Enhancing access to trade and market data through synergies between ITC’s Trade and Market Analysis Portals and PVBLIC’s SDG Data Alliance, supporting data-driven decisions for MSMEs.
Impact Investment: Utilizing PVBLIC’s Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD) to attract capital for sectors such as the blue economy, food security, technology, and climate resilience.
Digital Connectivity and Capacity Building: Integrating ITC’s digital moonshot initiatives with PVBLIC’s Transfer Technology Mechanism to strengthen digital infrastructure and sustainable digitalization within SIDS.
Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Executive Chairman, PVBLIC Foundation underscored the foundation’s commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience in SIDS: “Our collaboration with ITC is a powerful step toward equipping MSMEs with the digital tools and financing they need to thrive and innovate within a resilient, sustainable economy.”
Dr. Hyginus “Gene” Leon of DBRP highlighted the importance of integrating data and financial resources to drive resilience: “With support from PVBLIC and ITC, the DBRP aims to provide MSMEs access to innovative financing that leverages natural assets and data-driven insights, helping these businesses build resilience and compete sustainably.”
Event Highlights and Expected Outcomes
This partnership between PVBLIC Foundation and ITC is expected to deliver impactful results by combining both organizations’ resources toward shared goals of economic growth and climate resilience. Specific outcomes include:
Formalized Partnership: Solidifying a collaborative framework that leverages both organizations’ expertise, networks, and resources.
Public Awareness: Highlighting the commitment of ITC and PVBLIC Foundation to support MSME growth and sustainable development.
Pathway for Action: Outlining concrete, actionable initiatives to provide direct support to SIDS and vulnerable regions, contributing to the SDGs.
Ms. Coke-Hamilton emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges, especially those faced by MSMEs: “We must ensure that every actor in the ecosystem works together, so MSMEs can build business models that are economically viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. Together with PVBLIC, ITC is committed to making this future possible for SIDS and other developing regions.”
This strategic alliance, formalized during COP29, marks a critical step in supporting MSMEs across SIDS and beyond, empowering them to achieve resilience and inclusive growth in an increasingly challenging global landscape.
Sergio Fernandez de Cordova's full remarks:
"Good afternoon, distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and partners,
Today, we gather to formalize a partnership that holds the potential to drive transformative change. The signing of this Letter of Intent between PVBLIC Foundation and the International Trade Centre, or ITC, is more than just a formal agreement—it is a bold commitment to leverage trade as a vehicle for sustainable development and resilience.
Trade has always been a cornerstone of economic growth. ITC, as the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, has long been at the forefront of enabling trade for development. Today, we join forces to extend this mission, particularly in the world’s most vulnerable regions, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and other areas where both of our organizations operate.
At the core of this partnership is a shared mission: empowering Micro, Small, and Medium-Size Enterprises. These MSMEs are not just local drivers of economic activity; they are crucial players in global trade. Yet, many face significant barriers—limited access to international markets, trade data, and financing.
Together, PVBLIC and ITC will address these challenges by enhancing the international competitiveness of MSMEs in SIDS. This partnership will equip them with the tools, market intelligence, and resources needed to thrive in the global economy, unlocking new trade opportunities and fostering sustainable growth.
In today’s interconnected world, data is as valuable as any traded commodity. Through the SDG Data Alliance and the SIDS Global Data Hub, we will collaborate with ITC to ensure MSMEs and policymakers in SIDS have access to vital trade and market data.
ITC’s Trade and Market Analysis Portals and PVBLIC’s data initiatives will combine to create a robust ecosystem for data-driven decision-making. This collaboration will enable MSMEs to navigate international markets more effectively, make informed business decisions, and drive economic resilience.
Trade alone cannot drive sustainable development; it must be coupled with strategic investments. Through PVBLIC’s Family Offices for Sustainable Development, we will mobilize impact capital to target sectors crucial for SIDS’ development—blue economy, food security, and climate resilience.
By linking these investments with ITC’s expertise in sustainable value chains and trade facilitation, we will create a holistic approach to development. Together, we aim to drive innovation, strengthen trade, and build resilient economies in the regions that need it most.
Digital connectivity is essential for participating in the global trade system. ITC’s Digital Moonshot initiative, adapted specifically for SIDS, will be a game-changer. Combined with PVBLIC’s Transfer Technology Mechanism, this initiative will strengthen digital infrastructure, improve access to global markets, and ensure sustainable digital trade.
Our joint efforts will provide capacity-building support to MSMEs, enabling them to leverage digital platforms to access new markets and streamline their trade operations.
For many SIDS, tourism is a critical export and a significant contributor to GDP. However, it is also highly vulnerable to climate risks. By leveraging ITC’s expertise in sustainable tourism and trade, along with PVBLIC’s data capabilities, we will help SIDS develop resilient, sustainable tourism models.
These efforts will not only boost trade in tourism services but also enhance disaster risk management, ensuring that these nations can recover quickly and maintain their competitiveness in global tourism markets.
Ladies and gentlemen, this partnership represents a unique opportunity to redefine how trade, data, and investment intersect to drive sustainable development. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of aligning our efforts to address the most pressing global challenges.
Today’s signing is a call to action. It is a reminder that while the challenges facing SIDS and MSMEs are significant, the solutions are within reach. Together, PVBLIC Foundation and ITC will harness the power of trade to create opportunities, build resilience, and drive inclusive growth.
In Closing
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC, for her leadership and commitment to this collaboration. I also want to recognize Dr. Hyginus “Gene” Leon and the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity for their invaluable support.
As we formalize this partnership, let us move forward with purpose and determination, knowing that the work we do today will lay the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Thank you."
Pamela Coke-Hamilton's full remarks:
Good afternoon and thank you for joining us at this ceremony to sign this Letter of Intent between ITC and the PVBLIC Foundation.
This is a collaboration that has been in the making for several months—and the speed at which it has come together is a testament to the values we share; the sense of urgency we feel over the immense challenges our world faces; and the creativity and enthusiasm that each of our meetings has sparked as we mapped out what we could do to help.
The seeds of this collaboration were sown this past May when we met during the SIDS4 conference in Antigua and Barbuda.
This was a time when the international community was charting what a path towards resilient prosperity could look like for SIDS, even as hurricane season was making painfully apparent the nightmares that small island developing states are already living through due to climate change.
And it reinforced the risk that they may not have a future at all, unless we act now to chart a different course. A better course. A more sustainable course.
Since then, our early ideas have evolved into a plan of action—one that’s drawn inspiration, and momentum, from the wider conversations on how to finally take our world out of crisis mode, for good.
We heard, as we met in New York alongside the Summit of the Future, the urgent calls for action to bring the SDGs into reach—and how, on metrics from food security to gender equality, our world is not yet living up to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s promise.
And we heard in the weeks since the stark warnings from environmental scientists that global temperature increases could exceed 3 degrees Celsius from preindustrial levels by the end of this century—a result that would be devastating for the SMEs we both hold dear.
These are shocking, yet unfortunately not surprising, predictions. But they have also strengthened our collective resolve to do something about it, together.
The fact that we’re signing this letter during COP29 is no coincidence.
It’s our clear signal to our partners and friends that we will not shy away from doing everything in our power to make a better future possible for SMEs, even against these odds.
That’s why we’re here.
That’s why we’re going to work together to ensure these SMEs can access the data they need to craft innovative solutions to trade more sustainably.
That’s why we’re going to work to help more SMEs be able to trade, while accessing the finance and investment they need not just to engage in international markets, but to make their production practices more sustainable.
That’s why we’re going to work to ensure SMEs in developing countries can contribute not just to food security, the bioeconomy, and decarbonization—but can do so in a way that makes their trading dreams possible and benefits their communities.
But this can only happen if every actor in the ecosystem comes together.
That’s what it will take to ensure SMEs can build business models, informed by the best available data, that are not only economically viable, but also socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
That’s what it will take to help SMEs be in a position to innovate, finding solutions that don’t just make them more resilient to the environmental risks they face—but can instead ensure that they are world leaders in crafting a better environmental future for the next generation.
That’s what it will take for these SMEs to be connected to financial service providers, impact investors, and others who can make these innovative solutions possible.
These are goals that both of our organizations hold dear. And with the support and commitment of PVBLIC Foundation, the Family Offices for Sustainable Development, we can and we will make this future possible.
And not a moment too soon.
I look forward to seeing our plans come to life and thank you for placing your trust in ITC.
Commentaires