Queen Maxima of the Netherlands - Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA)

Then Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Maxima and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
September 2019, when Princess Maxima was first made UNSGSA
Photo Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider

In September 2009, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (then Princess Maxima) was made UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). She was originally given a 2 year mandate and this has been renewed multiple times. 

Financial inclusion means that people & businesses across the world, social & economic classes have access to useful, affordable, & responsible financial products and services that meet their needs. This includes things like savings & checking accounts, credit, insurance, and mobile banking.

Queen Maxima's job as UNSGSA is to raise awareness, hold meetings, encourage leaders and support actions to expand financial inclusion at a global and country level. Queen Maxima works in close collaboration with partners from the public and private sector. The Office of the UNSGSA is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Prior to this role, Maxima had significant experience in banking and emerging markets. She was a economist and investment banker by training. Máxima was involved in the UN International Year of Microcredit in 2005. She also served on the UN Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors from 2006 to 2008, and was a member of the Group’s Executive Committee and chair of its Working Group on Advocacy.

UNSGA Website: https://www.unsgsa.org/

Annual Report

Queen Maxima Presenting 2022 Report
Photo: UN Photo/Ariana Lindquist

Queen Maxima submits an annual report, that is usually released in September. The report covers her work and insights from September last year to August this year.                

Year Ending	Theme	Link
2020's
2025	-	-
2024	-	-
2023	Creating a Path Toward Resilience and Opportunity	Text
2022	Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth	Text
2021	Toward a More Resilient Future	Text
2020	Beyond Access and Usage to Quality	Text
2010's
2019	Building on Ten Years of Progress	Text
2018	Technology, Innovation, Progress	Text
2017	Transforming Lives	Text
2016	Advancing Sustainable Development	Text
2015	Creating an Inclusive World	Text
2014	A Path to Empowerment and Opportunity	Text
2013	Knowledge and Commitment Into Action	Text
2012	-	Text
2011	-	Text
2010	-	Text