Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is set to visit Manila next week in her capacity as United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). Her visit from May 21 to 23 will include meetings with President Marcos and top finance officials.
The focus of the visit will be on advancing financial inclusion in the Philippines, particularly in areas such as connectivity, digital identification, and digital payments. Despite progress in financial access in recent years, around 37.6 million adults in the Philippines remain unbanked, with concerns about financial resilience among Filipinos.
During her visit, Queen Máxima will engage with public and private sector leaders to discuss the expansion of digital ID implementation and digital payments systems. She will also emphasize the need for more affordable financial services, especially for the many small islands in the country.
Field visits in Manila and its surrounding areas will allow Queen Máxima to hear from financial services users about innovations impacting their lives. She will also explore last-mile financial solutions in a fisherfolk community and learn about tech-enabled platforms for small businesses.
High-level meetings with key policymakers and leaders, including Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., will aim to foster partnerships and support continuous innovations in the financial sector. Collaborative opportunities at a regional level will also be explored with the Asian Development Bank president.
The visit will include a focus group discussion with female financial users to enhance their financial health. Additionally, a demonstration of the South-East Asia Center for Digital Public Infrastructure at Ateneo de Manila University will be a highlight, aiming to inspire progress and innovation in the Philippines’ financial sector.
Queen Máxima previously visited the Philippines in 2015 in her role as UNSGSA.
