A session was held on the topic: “Strengthening the role of small and medium-sized businesses as key participants in building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.” ATIA Chairman Ramiz Isayev also participated in the panel discussion.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of KOBIA Orkhan Mammadov stated that sustainable cities cannot be built solely through public investment and policy frameworks.

Entrepreneurs, SMEs, startups, technology providers, architects, urban innovators, and infrastructure builders all play a crucial role in creating smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities for future generations. SMEs contribute not only to economic growth and employment, but also to innovation, green transition, digitalization, development of local services, and strengthening social inclusion within urban communities.

Such panel discussions serve to strengthen cooperation between government institutions, international organizations, and the private sector.