Financial Inclusion Week 2021

THEME

Promoting Prosperity in an Era of Uncertainty

As a global community, we have witnessed the power of financial inclusion in helping people cope with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Government-to-person payments were distributed at a level never before seen, using innovative approaches to identify recipients and disburse payments. With support from their investors, financial service providers worked closely with clients to restructure outstanding debt and provide information services on the health crisis. And fintech providers rapidly innovated to serve clients in the complex and evolving context of the pandemic.

Amid the crisis, we remain optimistic about the role financial services play in building financial resilience and helping people navigate difficult situations. Yet the crisis is far from over and threatens to reverse years of progress in reducing extreme poverty. We remain committed in our resolve to work toward a world in which all people are able to use financial services and access economic opportunities to improve their lives. And to do so requires partnership, learning from each other, dialogue, and community. This is the ambition of Financial Inclusion Week.