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The Office of the UNSGSA today unveiled an anniversary logo celebrating 15 years of Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in her capacity as the Special Advocate. Queen Máxima was appointed by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2009.

UNSGSA Queen Máxima Presents Secretary-General Guterres with 2023 Annual Report at United Nations

Crafted around "Creating a Path Toward Resilience and Opportunity," UNSGSA Queen Máxima presented her new Annual Report to UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters in New York. Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima to Visit the United Nations in New York

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit United Nations headquarters in New York from Monday evening, August 28, to Tuesday, August 29, in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). Read more

Smita Aggarwal appointed as Director of UNSGSA Office

Smita Aggarwal has been announced as the new Director of the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima Ends Financial Inclusion Visit to Brazil with Focus on Building Resilience, Financial Health

High on the agenda was how to build upon the momentum for financial inclusion in Brazil, where 84% of adults now have access to a formal financial account (Findex 2021)—representing a rise from 70% in 2017 and 56% in 2011. Queen Máxima emphasized the importance of Brazil’s ongoing pro-competition… Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima to Champion Financial Inclusion Priorities, Emphasize Financial Health on Brazil Visit

Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), will visit Brazil on 4-7 June 2023. The UNSGSA will promote ways for access to financial services to increase safe and effective participation in the… Read more

New UNSGSA Working Group Report Outlines a Policy and Advocacy Framework for Inclusive Green Finance

This new report examines how access and usage of financial services can help build resilience in the face of climate shocks, while also providing opportunities to participate in green economic sectors. Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima to Champion Digital Public Infrastructure, Financial Health at IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings

UNSGSA Queen Máxima will head to Washington D.C. on 13-14 April 2023 to participate in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG). Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima Wraps Up Visit to Morocco

Financial inclusion remains a priority issue in Morocco. In 2021, 44% of adults in the country had access to formal financial services, according to the World Bank Global Findex (2021). This represented an increase from 29% in 2017, largely from traditional accounts in financial institutions—mobile… Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima Visit to Morocco to Spotlight Mobile Money, Fintech and Inclusive Green Finance

UNSGSA Queen Máxima will focus on key investments to help kick start Morocco’s digital payments market, notably to serve as an on-ramp to the formal financial sector for traditionally undeserved groups like women and small merchants. She will also discuss how Morocco’s fintech sector can further… Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima to Head to Davos for World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2023

During the Annual Meeting, the Special Advocate will give remarks and input at an event titled “Financial Inclusion Beyond Access”. The UNSGSA will also conduct high-level bilateral meetings with government representatives from various countries, as well as hold talks with important stakeholders… Read more

UNSGSA Queen Máxima to Provide Virtual Keynote Speech at Nigeria National Financial Inclusion Conference

Nigeria will launch its updated National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) at the event, in addition to its national fintech strategy and strategy for leveraging agent networks to drive women’s financial inclusion. Read more

Watch: How Can Digital Financial Services Help the World's Poor?

Digital financial services help customers manage their financial lives. In many parts of the developed world, people take them for granted. The ability to organize finances online, or via a mobile phone, is very convenient. But for the world’s poor, access to digital financial services goes beyond… Read more