UNSGSA’s 2011
Annual Report

In the report, Princess Máxima calls attention to global progress in financial inclusion and the difference it makes for individuals and communities. She details her advocacy efforts to accelerate expansion of financial services that reach poor households as well as small and medium enterprises.

 

Financial inclusion is universal access, at a reasonable cost, to a wide range of financial services, provided by a variety of sound and sustainable institutions. Financial inclusion can help families and entrepreneurs generate income, build assets, manage cash flow, invest in opportunities and strengthen resilience to setbacks.
 

As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima of the Netherlands encourages effective policies, strong government leadership, dynamic cross-sector partnerships and development of good products. Her advocacy has resulted in tangible outcomes to advance financial inclusion.

Princess Máxima calls attention to untapped opportunities, persisting gaps and notable progress. In her ongoing dialogue with heads of state, ministers of finance and venture capitalists—and with farmers, rural mothers and urban tailors—Princess Máxima hears first-hand how financial inclusion is gaining momentum. She sees the difference that access to a diversity of financial services makes to households, small businesses and entire communities from Mexico to South Africa, Vietnam to Senegal.

 

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