On Wednesday, October 29, Her Majesty Queen Máxima hosted a meeting of the International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. This is the first meeting since Queen Máxima was named chair of the GFTN IAB on July 1, 2025. She chairs the board in her capacity as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA).
The GFTN is a not-for-profit based in Singapore that is committed to building affordable, resilient, and inclusive financial systems worldwide. The organization hosts international forums on technology and inclusive finance, including the Singapore Fintech Festival. The IAB is an independent board that helps advise and guide the work of the GFTN.
Over the course of the meeting on Wednesday, board members discussed key risks and opportunities at the intersection of finance and technology, with a focus on financial health impacts. This included the potential of artificial intelligence and the insights it can provide into consumers' financial decisions, opportunities to advance financial health, and the role of innovation and financial infrastructure in building a stronger financial ecosystem. They also shared practical examples of innovative financial products and services that can improve financial health.
The GFTN’s work includes advising companies and governments on policies that encourage technological innovation in the financial sector. As part of this commitment, the GFTN recently introduced the Global Impact Champions Awards, which recognize fintech startups with innovative products that can be easily scaled. This year's focus is on financial health. Three of the fifteen finalists for the awards presented their projects during the IAB meeting, and the winners will be announced during the Singapore Fintech Festival in mid-November.
