IPS Highlights Green Skills for MSMEs at SDPI’s Sustainable Development Conference

Date: 4-7 November 2025

The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) participated in the panel discussion titled “The Economy of Green Skills in Pakistan – Building a Future-Ready Workforce” at the ‘Sustainable Development in the Emerging World Dis|Order’ conference, organised in collaboration with UNICEF. The event was part of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute’s (SDPI) 28th Sustainable Development Conference, held from 4–7 November 2025 at the Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Speaking at the panel discussion, Dr Nisha Arunatilake, Director of Research at IPS, emphasised the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards adopting green technology and production methods. She noted that on-the-job training for MSME employees is essential to develop green skills, as integrating these skills into vocational training alone will have limited reach. “The proportion of youth enrolled in vocational training is very low in middle-income countries like Pakistan, making workplace-based training a more effective strategy,” Dr Arunatilake explained. Further, MSMEs will not have the technical knowhow nor the resources for incorporating green practices, without assistance.

Dr Arunatilake and Dr Asanka Wijesinghe, IPS Research Economist, contributed to the discussion, reinforcing IPS’ commitment to advancing sustainable development and workforce readiness in South Asia.