On her second visit to the Philippines as the UNSGSA, Queen Máxima emphasized the importance of affordable financial services, connectivity, and digitization in improving economic prospects, financial health, and resilience to climate-related challenges, especially for underserved communities and residents of the country’s many small islands.
Country Visits
UNSGSA Queen Máxima Visit Supports a Financially Healthy Future for Colombians
From 25-28 February 2024, the Special Advocate's mission underlined a commitment to expand diverse financial services available to all Colombians. Despite a notable increase in bank account ownership among adults from 39% in 2011 to 60% in 2021, gender disparity remains a stark challenge—with a 64… Read more
Kenya at a Financial Inclusion Crossroads: DPI, Inclusive Green Finance and Financial Health Pave the Path Forward
While in Kenya, Queen Máxima identified six pivotal areas where the country could boost financial inclusion, each with the potential to significantly enhance the nation's financial ecosystem, including DPI as a catalyst for growth, elevating financial health in the policy agenda, and more. Read more
Building Resilience and Financial Health through Inclusive Finance in Brazil
In addition to including the remaining 27 million unbanked adults in the country, the next crucial step for Brazil could be leveraging financial access to enhance the financial health of Brazilians. Financial health is a pressing concern in Brazil, with the average score suggesting low levels of… Read more
Morocco has Opportunity to Harness Digital Payments, Fintech, and Green Finance to Expand Financial Inclusion
Digital payments, fintech and inclusive green finance were key issues for Queen Máxima during her country visit to Morocco 20-23 March 2023. Read more
Investing in Digital Financial Infrastructure Key to Secure More Financial Inclusion Gains in Tanzania
To help identify and discuss opportunities for inclusive finance, the UNSGSA visited Tanzania on 18-19 October 2022. While in the country, she met with top government officials, international development partners, and members of the private sector. It represented her third visit to Tanzania as the… Read more
Fintech, Financial Health and MSMEs Drive Senegal’s Financial Inclusion Agenda
Senegal has experienced extraordinary gains in financial inclusion in less than a decade. The proportion of adults with access to formal financial services has shot up from 15% in 2014 to 56% last year (Global Findex, 2021). Much of this growth is being driven by digital payments and has been… Read more
Building on Mobile Money to Drive Toward Full Financial Inclusion in Côte d’Ivoire
Thanks to a strong national financial inclusion strategy and the spread of mobile money, Côte d’Ivoire has the potential to be at the forefront of financial inclusion in West Africa. According to the World Bank Global Findex, in 2021 51% of adults have access to an account, compared with 34% in… Read more
Underserved Groups, Fintech in Focus to Bolster Financial and Digital Inclusion in Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire has demonstrated a commitment toward financial inclusion, including an aim to reach a 60% inclusion rate by 2024, as well as to gradually digitize 80% of the government’s financial flows. To offer support and seek out opportunities to collaborate, the UNSGSA and her partners recently… Read more
With Aims to Boost Digital Financial Inclusion, Senegal Could be an Example for BCEAO Member States
Senegal, with its geographic and economic position significant to West Africa, possesses enormous potential as a financial inclusion leader in the region. The important role of digital financial inclusion for Senegal has been heightened since the coronavirus pandemic hit. Read more
UNSGSA Holds Meetings in Jakarta to Discuss Indonesia’s Progress toward Full Financial Inclusion
In March 2020, the UNSGSA held meetings in Jakarta with leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss Indonesia’s progress toward full financial inclusion. She has visited the country three times before, in 2012, 2016 and 2018, and provided guidance as it has developed and implemented its… Read more
UNSGSA Visits Pakistan to Support Country's Ongoing Financial Inclusion Efforts
The Special Advocate, along with her partners, conducted a country visit to Pakistan in November 2019 to support the country’s ongoing work to increase financial inclusion. The UNSGSA previously visited the country in 2016, shortly after Pakistan launched its first national financial inclusion… Read more
UN Special Advocate Queen Máxima Promotes Financial Inclusion on Visit to Ethiopia
Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), visited Ethiopia on 14-15 May to discuss how the nation could embrace financial inclusion as a priority and help achieve the UN Sustainable Development… Read more
