Technological breakthroughs in sustainable energy, green industrialization and climate adaptation  are generating unprecedented opportunities. Converting this potential into real impact requires strong entrepreneurship ecosystems, a skilled workforce, and inclusive value chains that ensure women, youth and vulnerable populations benefit from green and climate-resilient industrial development.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) drive job creation and industrial transformation — representing 90% of all firms, 70% of global employment and roughly half of global GDP. Yet the finance gap for MSMEs is estimated at US$5.7 trillion, with the vast majority of the gap concentrated in emerging markets. In cleantech, and especially in technologies that address climate impacts, tighter capital markets and reduced risk appetite are making growth even harder. 49% of adults cite fear of failure as a barrier to starting a business. Stronger support ecosystems — spanning mentoring, access to capital, skills development, technology access and policy frameworks — are urgently needed.

The clean energy transition is creating millions of jobs: renewable energy employment reached 16.2 million in 2023. Yet opportunities are unevenly distributed. Demand for green skills is growing roughly twice as fast as supply, and rapid AI adoption makes digital competency equally critical. Critical mineral demand is also surging — lithium could grow eightfold by 2040 — underscoring the need for inclusive local value chains. At the same time, the growing need for climate-adaptive technologies and services presents additional opportunities for job creation, innovation, and local enterprise development.

With 1.2 billion young people entering the workforce over the next decade but only 420 million new jobs projected, green industrial development and enterprise growth are essential. UNIDO reports emphasize that innovation, skills, inclusive value chains and industrial policy must work together to reduce inequalities.

Roundtable 4.1 focuses on turning innovation into real impact by strengthening entrepreneurship, building a qualified green workforce, and developing resilient value chains - positioning entrepreneurs as key drivers of green industrialization and climate-resilient economies, while accelerating stability, prosperity, and security globally.