HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway – Welcome address

 

 

HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway gave the welcome address at the 2019 Financial Inclusion Summit in Oslo on 28th March.

 

In his address, His Royal Highness referred to the topics of financial inclusion, development and the role of technology in ending extreme poverty as vital to our common future. He spoke of his own work as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and his belief that ending poverty is possible.

“These are issues close to my heart, having worked as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme for the last 16 years. My main message in my work on the sustainable development goals and the fight to end poverty is that it is possible.”

“It is possible to eradicate extreme poverty, and we in fact are the first generation ever in the history of mankind that actually has the possibility to achieve this goal.”

 

On the topic of financial inclusion, the Crown Prince said:

“Today, around 1.7 billion adults have no access to formal financial services. We know that financial inclusion can change lives and have a huge impact on individuals, families and whole communities.”

“The effects of people being able to control their own resources, to save, loan and invest, can be enormous. But, it is not easy. There is no quick fix to include 1.7 billion people into systems that they are not part of today.”

 

And on technology:

“Technology holds the key to some solutions that can facilitate rapid growth, expansion and skill, but we need to ensure the technology actually works for people.”

“To ensure the right use of technology, we have to work together. Across sectors and themes, government and business need to collaborate.”

“That is why today is so important, and that is why all of you here and the sectors, companies and technologise that you represent have an important stake in the game.”

 

To find out more about the 2019 Financial Inclusion Summit, view the summit report by Mastercard here.