The 2024 Annual Report of the UNSGSA, a special fifteenth anniversary edition, has been published. Entitled “15 Years of Impact: Building a Foundation for Financial Health”, the report showcases the activities and initiatives of H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in her capacity as the UNSGSA over the past 12 months. It also charts the milestones and impact of financial inclusion since she was appointed the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development in 2009.
The report focuses on the strategic work of the Special Advocate in three key technical areas: financial health, inclusive green finance, and responsible fintech for financial inclusion.
One of the keystones of Queen Máxima’s advocacy has been her focus on underserved communities—supporting the poor, women, smallholder farmers, and micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—to ensure that financial inclusion efforts are equitable, far reaching, and meet the needs of customers.
This year was no different. The 2024 Annual Report details UNSGSA Queen Máxima’s efforts to champion the financial inclusion agenda at both global and country levels, through country visits to Kenya, Colombia, and the Philippines, speeches, media engagements, and strategic meetings with world leaders and diverse stakeholders, including government, the private sector, international development agencies, and financial standard-setting bodies (SSBs).
The 2024 Annual Report captures a turning point in Queen Máxima’s role as the UNSGSA, highlighting the progress that has been made and the work still to be done. The stories of impact from the past 15 years reveal the importance of her continuing advocacy to ensure that financial policies, products, and services put people first and strengthen their financial health.
“The road ahead is brimming with promise and potential,” wrote Queen Máxima in her UNSGSA Message. “Armed with insights and the strong partnerships I have fostered, I aim to advocate for policies and initiatives that put financial health at the center of our economic agendas. The mission continues: to break down enduring barriers, inspire more innovation, and ensure that everyone who participates in the financial system can reap the benefits.”
To download the full report, please click here.