Queen Máxima visits Washington and New York for talks on financial health
Her Majesty Queen Máxima will be in Washington, DC on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 February and in New York on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 February for talks on her work as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA).
In Washington, DC, Queen Máxima will speak with the President of the World Bank, the managing directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and others about cooperation on financial health. These three organisations are members of the UNSGSA Reference Group with which Queen Máxima has worked since 2009 on good access to and safe and affordable use of financial services. The World Bank, IMF and IFC remain committed to these efforts and will be discussing with Queen Máxima opportunities for further involvement in her new UN mandate.
Nearly 80% of the world’s adults now have access to at least a current account, as well as better access to savings products, insurance and loans (Global Findex, 2021). However, good access to financial services does not necessarily mean better financial health. One way of achieving this is to align products and services with people’s needs, for example by combining affordable loans, coaching and insurance for small-scale entrepreneurs to foster growth and protect against risks. Accessible savings products can also help households build a buffer, making them more financially resilient.
On Thursday morning, Queen Máxima and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva will hold a ‘fireside chat’ with IMF staff on what financial health means and how it can contribute to economic growth and stability. Financial health is vital for developing and developed countries alike, for individuals and society as a whole. The indicators that determine financial health vary by country and culture, requiring a global approach that allows for tailored solutions.
In Washington, DC, Queen Máxima will also visit the Aspen Institute. This worldwide non-profit organisation drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve global challenges.
On Monday 24 February, Queen Máxima will continue her visit in New York and hold talks with private financial institutions on initiatives and opportunities to improve household financial health through customer-centric financial products and services. She will also discuss the relevance of financial health to the UN development agenda with UN permanent representatives from different countries. A meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres about Queen Máxima’s new UN mandate (see Government Information Service, no. 263, 2024) is scheduled for Tuesday 25 February. She will also meet with the 11 members of the UNSGSA Reference Group to discuss the activities for the year ahead.
Government Information Service, no. 45