Utilizing innovations in digital technologies to bridge financial inclusion gap is a key pillar of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. The hope is that financial inclusion will help lift economic growth and reduce inequality. The importance of digital currencies and payments are evident in the wake of the COVID-19 shock to the world economy, which is triggering a sharp decline in cash use, surge in digital transactions, and need for governments to get financial aid out to impacted households and small businesses quickly and efficiently. The work of the Financial Inclusion workstream of the Policy & Governance Working Group of the Digital Currency Global Initative was also shared during this webinar taking place on
29 March 2021 from 16h00 to 17h30 CET. Key questions the session focused on were:
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How can digital currencies enhance financial inclusion?
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What are the constraints/concerns/risks that are preventing digital currencies realize their full potential to lift financial inclusion?
- What are some policy and governance recommendations to maximize financial inclusion benefits, while mitigating risks?
Participation was open to ITU Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academic Institutions and to any individual from a country that is a member of ITU who wishes to contribute to the work. This includes individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organizations.
Panelists:
Chief of Study Groups TSB, ITU | Vice Team Leader, Policy and Governance Working Group Digital Currency Global Initiative and eCurrency Presentation
|  Project Lead
Blockchain and Digital Currency World Economic Forum Presentation
| Managing Partner
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