From 25-28 February 2024, the Special Advocate's mission underlined a commitment to expand diverse financial services available to all Colombians. Despite a notable increase in bank account ownership among adults from 39% in 2011 to 60% in 2021, gender disparity remains a stark challenge—with a 64% account ownership rate for men contrasted by 56% for women.
Country Visits
Special Advocate Visits Bangladesh to Promote Access to Financial Services
UN logo.
H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit Bangladesh from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 November in her role as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance at the invitation of the Bangladeshi government.
This will be Queen… Read more
Special Advocate Visiting Philippines for Launch of National Financial Inclusion Strategy
In her capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Queen Máxima will visit the Philippines from 29 June to 1 July. She will meet with a wide range of leaders from public and private sectors and with clients, and will participate in the launch of… Read more
Special Advocate Visiting Myanmar to Advance Financial Inclusion
Queen Máxima in Myanmar with the UN Resident Coordinator Renata Lok-Dessallien. Photo credit: UNDP Myanmar
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, has arrived in Myanmar at the… Read more
Special Advocate to Visit China to Discuss Access to Financial Services
From Monday 24 November to Friday 28 November, Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit China in her capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). China is taking various measures to improve access to financial services in… Read more
A Meeting of Minds Over Financial Inclusion in India
The Special Advocate visited a water ATM project in India, which dispenses fresh water in the manner of an ATM.
The UNSGSA met with the newly appointed minister of finance, the governor and leaders of the Reserve Bank of India, non-bank financial services… Read more
Extending Financial Inclusion in Colombia
In her keynote address at the presentation of Colombia’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, Queen Máxima congratulated the Government on the progress it has made over the past ten years. Now, Colombia is entering a second phase of financial inclusion, in which the emphasis… Read more
A new national framework for financial inclusion will help Tanzania achieve its goals
"I really commend Tanzania for its ambition to include 50% of the population in the formal financial system by 2015." - UNSGSA
In her keynote address at the Launch of the National Financial Inclusion Framework the UNSGSA noted the rapid progress in Tanzania since her last visit in 2010, and… Read more
Giving a boost to agriculture through inclusive finance in Ethiopia
UNSGSA with WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin and Gerda Verburg, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. March 2013. - Photo credit: Rein Skullerud
Ethiopia’s agricultural sector has… Read more
UNSGSA Visits Nigeria in Support of National Strategy for Financial Inclusion
Governor Sanusi, Queen Máxima, and H.E. President Jonathan met to discuss the role of inclusive finance for achieving Nigeria's economic and development goals. Abuja, Nigeria, 23 October 2013. Photo credit: Central Bank of Nigeria
The UNSGSA joined the… Read more
Partnership for national strategy development and financial education in Brazil
As part of a financial education program, students watch a play on spending, saving and borrowing habits, and financial planning. Guaracy Silveira School for Technical Education, Sao Paulo, Brazil 10 May 2012. Photo credit: Amina Tirana
In Brasilia, Queen… Read more
Exploring how financial inclusion will advance Indonesia’s development goals
H.M. Queen Máxima discussing how financial inclusion can help Indonesia achieve their national social, environmental and economic priorities with the Minister of Finance, Mr. Agus Martowardojo (Jakarta, April 2012)
The UNSGSA met with the President of the… Read more
Leadership, SME finance, and data under discussion in Malaysia
In meetings in Kuala Lumpur, the UNSGSA met with the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Deputy Minister of Finance, and the Crown Prince of the State of Perak. Together they explored the benefits of even greater cross-sector collaboration to build on… Read more
