Strengthening economic growth and sustainable development through financial inclusion is critical for the Asia–Pacific region. Harnessing digital technology is one of the ways to bring millions of unserved and underserved people across the region into the formal financial sector. This is especially true for people who are living at the base of the economic pyramid and for women, who are disproportionately marginalized.

However, deploying digital services to widen financial inclusion does not solve many of the root causes why many in the region, especially people at the bottom of the pyramid, do not have access to financial services.  

Policymakers and regulators need to ensure that digital services are delivered responsibly and are enhancing resilience and economic opportunity for women and other disadvantaged groups.  

In response, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in collaboration with the Griffith Asia Institute (GAI), have developed a Policy Guidebook to support the region’s policy makers and regulators to capitalize on the opportunity to harness digital technology as an effective means to advance financial inclusion and enhance the well-being of those at the bottom of the pyramid, including women. 

This webinar will examine the policy tools and case studies outlined in the Policy Guidebook to demonstrate specific actions governments can take to enable effective digital financial inclusion. The webinar will also feature a panel discussion with experts from the region to provide additional insights and commentary on the issues.

Speakers

• Rupa Chanda, Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, UNESCAP
• Shawn Hunter, Industry Fellow (APEC), Griffith Asia Institute
• Erin Watson-Lynn, Adjunct Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute
• Jonathan Wong, Chief, Technology and Innovation Section, UNESCAP
• Serey Chea, Director General, National Bank of Cambodia 
• Eduardo Jimenez, President, Kabalikat Para Sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. and Chair of the Board, Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc.
• Maria Perdomo, Regional Coordinator, United Nations Capital Development Fund in Asia