The Future of Financial Inclusion: Transforming global financing and the finance sector from the inside out.

10 June 2025, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | New York - location shared upon confirmation (3 minutes from UN Headquarters)  

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals will take more than overseas development finance alone. We also need the power of private capital, from financial institutions and a new generation of high-net-worth investors, to help fill the gap. To coincide with the UN’s disability event - the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP), our reception and panel on ‘The Future of Financial Inclusion’ will spotlight how the global financial system can be a force for disability-inclusive development.  

Hosted by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF) and the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), this insightful discussion will explore how the financial sector can and is partnering with the international disability community, to accelerate sustainable, inclusive growth.  

Why is this needed now? 

Many UN agencies, governments, and non-profits are working hard but often lack the resources and tools to fully unlock local potential, build stronger economies, and move beyond the need for overseas aid. 

To create lasting opportunities and inclusive prosperity, we have a chance to rethink how we fund development and how the financial sector can evolve. In this way, finance can become a powerful force for global progress. 

What to Expect  

Join us for an evening reception and engaging panel to explore key approaches to transforming global finance through a disability-inclusive lens.  

We’ll touch on:   

• Financial inclusion as a priority: from internal systems and AI to accessible platforms and inclusive banking. 

• Transformative tech investment: scaling innovations for persons with disabilities and older people. 

• Market-shaping models: turning equity and debt into opportunity and connecting communities to global capital. 

• Blended finance tools: boosting outcomes, by applying a disability inclusive lens.  

• Innovative financial structures: integrating grants, equity, and impact investment for commercial viability to stimulate financial and human impact growth. 

• Next-Gen impact investing: investment driven by purpose and human rights. 

Speakers:   

• Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Secretary, UNCDF  

• Paul Sheehan, CEO, SEAF  

• Pollyanna Wardrop, Senior Researcher, GDI Hub  

• David Hall, Social Sustainability Director, Lloyds Bank  

• Muhammad Atif Sheikh, Executive Director, STEP 

• Iain McKinnon, CEO, Global Disability Innovation Hub (closing remarks) 

Panel moderated by Cara Yar Khan. 

This will be followed by the opportunity to network with innovation leaders from finance, investment, development, and other fields.  

International Sign Language provided

Attendance 

This is an invite only event. If you're in New York (or attending COSP) and would like to attend please email Sophie Glickman at s.glickman@ucl.ac.uk to express your interest  

Spaces are limited, so please get in touch soon to reserve your space. Guests will be provided venue details if attendance is confirmed.