On 3 July, the AFI network highlighted the critical role of Inclusive Green Finance (IGF) at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville. 

A side-event organized by AFI, SOAS University of London, and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), featuring input from Bangladesh Bank and Central Bank of Egypt, discussed effective IGF policies and promotion, drawing on AFI’s 10 years of experience. 

“Since the launch of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015, IGF has developed to the extent that it now assumes a strong and permanent place in climate and green finance discussions,” said AFI Director of Global Partnerships, Ilya Sverdlov. “AFI’s IGF workstream started with just a handful of champions, and now has over 60 countries working together to advance policies and regulation.”  

“If IGF now forms part of the mandate of banks and regulators all over the world, it’s notably because of its contribution to financial and banking stability,” said Walid Ali, General Manager, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt. “Given AFI’s considerable experience in this area, it’s vital that our voice is heard at events such as FfD4.” 

“The AFI network can contribute greatly to discussions on reforming international financing architectures and SDG investments,” said Chowdhury Liakat Ali, Director, Sustainable Finance Department, Bangladesh Bank. “It’s important that all of us promote Inclusive Green Finance, in order to attract funds in this area.”  

“At AFI, we see IGF as a vital intersection of green finance and financial inclusion,” said Helen Walbey, AFI Lead, Donor Relations & Partnerships. “Our members are demonstrating how financial inclusion, through access to credit, insurance, savings, payment systems and digital tools, helps build resilience at the household and MSME level. But we strongly believe that the green transition must be just and inclusive –we can achieve this through deliberate policy design that includes the excluded from the start.” 

You can learn more about the AFI network’s activities and achievements in Inclusive Green Finance here.