H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), is scheduled to provide a virtual video address on the role of financial inclusion in global efforts to mitigate climate risk for the EU Sustainable Investment Summit held on 7 October 2021.
The Special Advocate has stressed throughout her advocacy that financial inclusion is not a standalone issue. Rather it is closely linked with other issues, including climate change, and contributes to achieving a range of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UNSGSA’s message is expected to convey the importance of innovative and inclusive finance in building resilience for the underserved — notably the poor, women, smallholder farmers, and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which are focus groups for the Special Advocate.
These segments are often the most vulnerable to climate change. This issue poses an existential risk to the livelihoods of millions, due to agricultural losses, displacements, loss of property from extreme weather events, and socioeconomic stresses.
The EU Sustainable Investment Summit 2021 is the first annual event of the European Commission on sustainable investment, following the launch of the European Green Deal, which sets the objective for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
For more information about the summit and to learn how to register, please click here.