Speeches

Policymakers are increasingly taking steps to measure, assess, and address financial health. However, these efforts are insufficient without action from the private sector—primarily, but not exclusively, financial service providers. Read more

Mothers and daughters everywhere continue to shoulder the extra costs of the crisis. Women usually have to assume additional caregiving responsibilities, while struggling to maintain their livelihoods—often in the informal sector. Female-owned businesses tend to be smaller with less access to… Read more

The next steps in designing the appropriate governance structure, scheme rules, forthcoming use cases, and pricing will therefore be critical for the platform to have impact. Read more

The UNSGSA delivered virtual opening remarks at the Conference on Financial Inclusion and Cybersecurity co-hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, IMF, World Bank Group and World Economic Forum. Read more

The Special Advocate delivered virtual remarks on 25 November 2020. The seminar was held under the title “Urgent call for agri-food systems transformation to achieve healthy diets for all”. Read more

UNSGSA remarks at the ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit: “Women’s Role in Building a Cohesive, Dynamic, Sustainable, and Inclusive ASEAN Community in a Post COVID-19 World”. Read more

The Special Advocate delivered keynote remarks at the Identification for Development (ID4D) Mission Billion Event at the Virtual World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings. Read more

The Special Advocate delivered remarks at the G7 Partnership High-Level Event: Catalyzing DFS for Women Across Africa - Supporting Recovery, Resilience and Innovation during COVID-19. Read more

"It is also pleasing to see an overall financial inclusion strategy for Ehsaas. The goal of prioritizing banking informal workers, accelerating access to credit, and creating digital platforms to support access to nano-loans are all very important." - UNSGSA Read more

The Special Advocate delivered these remarks at the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the State Bank of Pakistan and Karandazz to establish a micropayment gateway. Read more

Speech of Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in her capacity as the Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2019 Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is wonderful to be back in Singapore for this ever-growing… Read more

"SME finance has always been one of my priorities since I became the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development already ten years ago. I am supportive of policies and business practices that enable individuals and small businesses to access and use a broad range… Read more