WASME GCSDBE 2026 Conference Overview
On Wednesday, 26 August 2026, the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) will convene the Global Conference on Sustainable Development & Business Excellence (GCSDBE 2026) at the UNESCO Auditorium, UNESCO House, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The conference is organised under the theme “Advancing the SDGs through Innovation, Inclusion and Enterprise Excellence.”
The opening ceremony will feature the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Sanjiv Layek, Executive Secretary of WASME, and a formal opening address by Ambassador Prof. (Dr.) Kheswar Chandan Jankee, GOSK, President of WASME. Mr. Benno Boer of UNESCO is slated to deliver the keynote address.
A highlight of the day will be the launch of the publication “Pockets of Hope,” jointly presented by WASME and the World Development Corporation (WDC). Senior UNESCO and WASME dignitaries will unveil the book, after which a panel discussion will explore the ideas, people and possibilities behind the publication.
The conference agenda addresses critical issues for the future of enterprise, including: financing and market access; quality and innovation; ESG and sustainability reporting; and a fireside chat on heritage and entrepreneurship that examines preserving traditional knowledge while building new ventures. Corporate and speaker presentations will complement these sessions.
The programme also incorporates the WASME Excellence Awards 2026, a felicitation ceremony recognising distinguished contributors, and musical performances.
Through these activities, GCSDBE 2026 aims to shift the sustainability conversation from abstract targets to tangible actions that create jobs, opportunity, dignity, access, innovation and hope for people, particularly through the engine of MSMEs. The conference underscores that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 requires partnership among governments, institutions, corporations, financial bodies, innovators and communities, with MSMEs positioned as central drivers of inclusive and responsible growth.
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