UAE to develop the first-ever sustainability accreditation framework explicitly MSMEs

Plans to create the first-ever sustainability accreditation system specifically for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) have been announced by the United Arab Emirates.

The goal of EcoMark Global Accreditation is to increase MSMEs' competitiveness in the global green economy by standardising and expediting the regulatory procedures related to sustainability benchmarking on a global scale. Based on ISO standards and digitally enabled, the EcoMark certification will offer MSMEs a comprehensive set of tools to help them achieve EcoMark status. These tools will include document requirement guidelines, a roadmap to advance from basic to advanced levels of sustainability, a standardised application process, and comprehensive eligibility criteria for accreditors in the participating countries. The UAE-based central authority will be in charge of overseeing the framework.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, revealed the plan at a panel discussion titled "A New Trade Order: Inclusive Growth" at the World Economic Forum annual conference in Davos. The panel, which brought together academics, policymakers, and ministers to discuss ways to improve the integration of MSMEs, LDCs, and female- and youth-led businesses into international trade, emphasised the importance of supporting burgeoning businesses in meeting the growing demand from customers for green-certified goods and services.

Under the topic "Rebuilding Trust," the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos has gathered leaders from industry and government to participate in positive, forward-looking discussions and assist in the discovery of solutions through public-private collaboration.