UNSGSA Queen Máxima to Elevate Financial Health at Meetings with Global Standard-Setting Bodies in Basel

UNSGSA Queen Máxima is pictured with Governor of the Bank of France François Villeroy de Galhau, left, and Bank of International Settlements (BIS) General Manager Agustín Carstens, on 11 March 2024, in Basel, Switzerland. Photo: BIS

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), will join global financial leaders for meetings at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland on 11-12 March 2024.

The Special Advocate will speak to central bank leaders about improving financial health. This refers to ensuring people have the necessary financial tools to effectively manage daily expenses, withstand financial shocks, achieve their financial goals, and gain confidence in their financial lives.

On March 12, Queen Máxima will co-chair a High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Financial Inclusion, alongside BIS General Manager Agustín Carstens. This gathering, which happens every two years, is a chance for experts and leaders to share insights and find ways to work together to make sure everyone has access to financial services like bank accounts, loans, and savings options. The HLM is a cornerstone of the cooperation arrangements established in 2019 among the BIS, the global standard-setting bodies (SSBs), and the financial inclusion community.

By participating in these meetings, the UNSGSA continues to push for financial services that are safe, fair, and can help improve people’s lives, especially in developing countries.