Event Details

Date: 3 April 2025
Time: 13:00 - 14:00 PM
Venue: Hall 4.2, Station Venue, Berlin
Hosted by: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) & Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub)

Overview

At the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, this side event - How can Asia and the Pacific’s banking sector advance the economic inclusion of people with disabilities? A case study from Asian Development Bank (ADB) & Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub)- will explore how the banking sector in Asia and the Pacific can drive economic inclusion for people with disabilities.

Despite representing a significant portion of the population, individuals with disabilities face systemic barriers in accessing financial services and employment. Addressing these challenges is key to achieving sustainable economic growth and social equity.

Speakers

• Leah Gutierrez (Moderator) – Director General, Sector Department 3, Asian Development Bank
• Can Sutken (Panelist) – Principal Investment Specialist, Trade and Supply Chain Division, ADB
• Pollyanna Wardrop (Panelist) – Senior Researcher, Financial Inclusion, GDI Hub
• Mirza Muhammad Asim Baig (Panelist) – Group Head, Human Resources, National Bank of Pakistan
• Maka Bochorishvili (Panelist) – ESG Coordinator, TBC Bank
• Muhammad Atif Sheikh (Panelist) – Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), Pakistan

The ADB Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP), in collaboration with GDI Hub, has made significant strides in advancing disability inclusion within the financial sector:

• Conducted a regional analysis to identify sector-specific barriers and opportunities.
• Developed five open-source tools to help banks embed financial inclusion strategies.
• Provided bespoke consultancy to seven banks in the region to improve their accessibility and inclusion efforts.
• Engaged with TBC Bank (Georgia) and National Bank of Pakistan to implement inclusive financial strategies.

Join Us!

This session provides a unique opportunity to learn from financial sector leaders, researchers, and advocates who are reshaping economic inclusion in Asia and the Pacific.

If you’re attending GDS 2025, don’t miss this critical conversation on how the banking sector can drive meaningful change for people with disabilities.