Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the central bank, in partnership with the Arab Monetary Fund and the World Bank, will host the Financial Inclusion Leaders Summit for the Middle East and North Africa 2025. The summit, themed “Shaping Regional and Global Agendas,” will take place on November 17-18, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. This event marks the first time such a summit is held in the UAE, reinforcing the country’s commitment to leading the global financial health and inclusion agenda while enhancing its status as an international financial hub.
Objectives and Significance of the Summit
The gathering aims to unify the efforts of policymakers, regulatory bodies, and global financial sector leaders to create a collective vision that enhances financial inclusion and health both regionally and globally. The summit seeks to build effective partnerships to accelerate progress in various fields, including digital innovation, consumer protection, gender equality, and financial health. Furthermore, it aims to align national and regional priorities with global development agendas, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen cooperation to ensure equitable access to financial services while developing responsible and sustainable financial systems.
Prominent Participants and Engagements
The summit will feature ministers, central bank governors, and heads of financial regulatory bodies from the MENA region, UN Secretary-General’s special envoys for financial health, as well as leaders from regional and international organizations. Key players from development entities such as the OECD, along with CEOs from financial institutions and fintech companies, will also participate, alongside experts from various regions around the globe. The agenda includes high-level panel discussions focusing on subjects pertinent to financial inclusion, such as expanding the use of digital financial services, women’s financial health and economic empowerment, and financial literacy.
Innovative Initiatives and Announcements
Throughout the summit, several new national and global initiatives aimed at enhancing financial inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainable development will be announced. Notable highlights include:
- The official launch of the UAE National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030, which represents a comprehensive national vision to enable all members of society to access financial services fairly and safely.
- A presentation of the regional findings of the Arab countries’ version of the Global Financial Inclusion Index (FinDex), aiming to track progress in this domain and support decision-makers in developing policies for more inclusive and resilient financial systems.
- The announcement of the hosting of the Global Financial Health Week in 2026.
The Abu Dhabi Declaration for Digital Financial Inclusion
At the culmination of the summit, the “Abu Dhabi Principles for Digital Financial Inclusion” will be issued, led by the Arab Monetary Fund, with support from the Central Bank of the UAE and the World Bank. This declaration will encompass shared commitments, policy priorities, and actionable recommendations to foster inclusive financing in the MENA region.
Sheikh Khaled Mohammed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, stated, “The central bank’s hosting of the Financial Inclusion Leaders Summit for the MENA region stems from the visionary leadership of the UAE and the country’s directives to build an advanced and inclusive financial sector. Through this summit, we aim to establish a new reference point that initiates from the state to enhance financial inclusion globally and regionally, supporting efforts to create a more inclusive and sustainable financial system.” He added, “In light of the rapid economic transformations the world is undergoing, enhancing financial inclusion is a strategic priority for supporting financial stability and achieving sustainable development. The central bank continues to intensify its efforts in developing policies and practices that ensure financial services reach all community groups. We look forward to this summit yielding fruitful outcomes that will contribute to innovative solutions that bolster financial inclusion, support economic integration in the region, and cement the UAE’s position as a leading global financial center.”