Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is in Washington, DC from 19–20 February 2025 and will be in New York from 24–25 February 2025 for talks on her work as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA).
In Washington, DC, the UNSGSA spoke with the President of the World Bank, the Managing Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and other leaders about cooperation on financial health. These three organizations are members of the UNSGSA Reference Group, and since 2009 have collaborated with Queen Máxima on good access to and safe and affordable use of financial services. The World Bank, IMF, and IFC discussed with the UNSGSA opportunities for further involvement in support of her UN mandate to promote financial health globally.
Nearly 80% of the world’s adults now have access to a bank account or mobile wallet (Global Findex, 2021), which can be an on-ramp to better access to savings products, insurance, and loans. However, good access to financial services does not necessarily mean better financial health. One promising way to achieve this is to align products and services with people’s needs. For example, by combining affordable loans, coaching, and insurance for small-scale entrepreneurs to foster growth and protect against risks. Accessible savings products can also help households build a buffer, making them more financially resilient.
On 20 February, Queen Máxima, together with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, held a fireside chat with IMF staff on the importance of financial health and how it can contribute to economic growth and stability. They also discussed how financial health is vital to individuals, households and society in developing and developed countries alike. The indicators that determine financial health vary by country and context, requiring a global approach that allows for tailored solutions.
In Washington, DC, the UNSGSA will also visit the Aspen Institute and the Milken Institute to learn about the work of these two global non-profit think tanks on enhancing household financial resilience and security.
On 24 February, the Special Advocate will continue her visit in New York and hold talks with private financial institutions on initiatives and opportunities to improve household financial health through customer-centric financial products and services. She will also discuss the relevance of financial health to the UN development agenda with permanent UN representatives of different countries. A meeting is scheduled for 25 February with UN Secretary-General António Guterres about Queen Máxima’s mandate as the UNSGSA for Financial Health, a role she has held since 24 September 2025. She will also meet with the 11 members of the UNSGSA Reference Group to discuss activities for the year ahead.