5 February 2026 – The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA) together with the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) convened an online webinar entitled “Policy and Practical Approaches for SMEs in Applying Green Economy Practices among CICA Member States.”
The webinar brought together policymakers, SME support institutions, business associations and entrepreneurs from across CICA Member States to explore how small and medium-sized enterprises can turn sustainability into a competitive advantage. Discussions focused on policy frameworks, public-sector support instruments, and business-oriented solutions that enable SMEs to integrate green economy principles while maintaining growth, profitability and resilience.
Opening the webinar, Mr. Elnur Aliyev, Adviser to the Chairman of KOBİA, referred to Azerbaijan’s COP29 experience, stressing the need to place SMEs at the center of the green transition. He noted that despite their significant cumulative environmental impact, SMEs remain underrepresented in global climate discussions, and highlighted the Baku Climate Coalition for SMEs Green Transition launched at COP29 as a platform promoting coordinated support from governments, financial institutions and international partners, particularly in addressing financing challenges.
Ms. Zhang Ling, Deputy Secretary General of CICA, emphasized that SMEs remain the backbone of national economies, driving employment, innovation, and inclusive growth across the CICA region.
In her remarks, Ms. Zhang Ling noted that climate change and environmental pressures are already reshaping economic realities, making the transition to greener and more resource-efficient business models both a necessity and an opportunity for SMEs. She highlighted that environmentally responsible practices can help enterprises improve operational efficiency, optimize costs and strengthen long-term business resilience, while contributing to broader sustainable development goals. Expressing appreciation to KOBİA and all partners, she stressed the value of experience-sharing and cooperation among CICA Member States in advancing sustainable SME development.
The panel session featured contributions from Member States and business organizations, presenting policy-to-practice approaches for SME green transformation. Speakers shared national strategies and institutional mechanisms designed to support SMEs through incentives, advisory services, financing tools, and capacity-building programmes. Business perspectives focused on how sustainability principles can be embedded into everyday operations, management decisions, and value chains, helping SMEs adapt to changing market expectations and regulatory environments.
The event reaffirmed the role of the CICA platform in facilitating business-relevant dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnerships in support of sustainable and environmentally responsible growth across the region.
