The MSD for a Just Transition event convened 100 practitioners from diverse fields, including private sector development, market systems approaches, and green and Just Transition initiatives. Participants included donor agencies, UN organizations, financial institutions, INGOs, foundations, and consulting firms, all coming together to share knowledge, draw inspiration from twelve systems change field examples, and identify key directions for future work.
The meeting occurred during a period of significant global turbulence. The UN faces pressure to scale down operations, development cooperation budgets are being reduced in many countries, and climate change and environmental degradation are intensifying. Concurrently, informality and unemployment remain pressing challenges in emerging and developing economies. Against this backdrop, the event highlighted the continued dedication of individuals and institutions working to address social, environmental, and economic challenges through development cooperation, emphasizing the importance of ongoing exchange and mutual support.
The conference fostered dialogue among a broad range of system actors, from global institutions such as UNEP and WTO to donor agencies and project implementers on the ground. This diversity created a space to think holistically about the interconnected challenges of a Just Transition and private sector development. The event underscored the urgency of systems thinking and the need for coalitions to develop a shared vision and aligned strategies, especially in the context of lingering fossil fuel dependencies and inequitable economic structures.
A Just Transition presents both challenges and opportunities. While there is a need to ensure that workers and enterprises in traditional “brown” sectors navigate the transition safely, the shift also opens pathways for new enterprises and job creation. Market systems development (MSD) was identified as a key tool for guiding private sector engagement in achieving a Just Transition.
Practical insights from the event highlighted six areas for action. Aligning donor agendas for systemic impact was emphasized, particularly given shrinking resources. Strategic coordination among donor agencies, national actors, and private capital is essential for maximizing systemic outcomes. Ensuring that no one is left behind in a Just Transition was another priority, focusing on safeguarding existing jobs, linking policies with social protection, and making emerging economic opportunities accessible to vulnerable groups.
Demonstrating value, evidence, and learning was identified as crucial for communicating MSD’s role in advancing a Just Transition, including embedding green goals socially and economically even in the poorest economies. Tracking green
