June 27 has been designated MSME International Day. The United Nations General Assembly declared the special day to celebrate the critical role and contributions of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to the United Nation’s new 2030 global development goals.

Throughout the United States and around the world, formal and informal MSMEs make up more than 90 percent of all firms, employ approximately 70 percent of the private workforce and account for 50 percent of gross domestic product.

The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) collaborated with the U.N. to establish MSME International Day. MSME International Day will be celebrated on June 27 in future years as well.

The 2017 celebration will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. MSMEs around the world can participate in the online celebration. MSMEs in Kansas City and other Midwest cities can show their support by joining the Celebration Wall for MSMEs International Day and posting on the ICSB Facebook page.

“ICSB worked closely with the U.N. to create a day that globally recognizes MSMEs and their critical role in the world’s economy and development. June 27th will hereafter give MSMEs their permanent proper place in history,” said Dr. Winslow Sargeant, ICSB senior vice president.

The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) is a non-profit organization devoted to continuing management education for entrepreneurs and small business. It was founded in 1955 and was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. The organization brings together educators, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge and expertise.