Agenda
Day 0 – 7th July 2025 (Monday)
06:00 pm onwards
Registration & Welcoming the Guests
07:00 pm – 07:15 pm
Opening Remarks by Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – GAFI
07:15 pm – 07:30 pm
Introduction to the Training by Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – GAFI
07:30 pm – 08:00 pm
Motivational Session on ‘Global Perspectives, Unified Goals: A Story of BRAC & BRAC International’ by Mr. Malik Asif Russd , Head of
Operations, New Markets, Microfinance – BRAC International Holdings B.V.
08:00 pm – 09:00 pm
Panel Discussion: United for Growth: The Role of Cross-Border Alliances in Advancing Microfinance Goals
Moderator: Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – GAFI
Panelists:
- Mr. Rustam Tahirov, Director of the Financial Sector Sustainable Development Department – Central Bank of Azerbaijan
- Mr. Amjad Arbab, Advisor – Damen Support Programme
- Ms. Jhale Hajiyeva , Executive Director – Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association
- Dr. Rashid Bajwa , CEO – National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)
- Mr. Mifta Naim Huda , Executive Director – Centre for Development Innovation & Practices (CDIP)
09:00 pm onwards
Welcome/Inaugural Dinner
Day 1 – 8th July 2025 (Tuesday)
09:00 am – 09:15 am
An overview of Azerbaijan Microfinance Industry by Ms. Jhale Hajiyeva, Executive Director at Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association
09:15 am – 10:15 am
Power Talk 1 – – Building a Holistic Digital Finance Ecosystem: Unlocking Opportunities for MFIs
Speaker: Mr. Rishi Raithata , Digital Finance and Inclusive Insurance Expert and Co-Chair at Financial Inclusion Forum (FIF-UK)
10:15 am – 10:30 am
Coffee Break
10:30 am – 03:30 pm (incl.lunch break)
Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session I – Charting a Path of Resilience
and Success in Times of Uncertainty
Trainers: Mr. Daniel Rozas, Senior Microfinance
Expert – e-MFP
Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session I – Sustainable Finance: Making Financial Institutions USSEPM & ESG Compliant
Trainer: Ms. Rula Mheissen, Client Protection Specialist and Head of MENA at
Cerise-SPTF
Introductory Track
Special Session II: Time with a Leader
Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO – NRSP to
have live chat and discussion on his company’s growth, challenges and personal perspective
03:30 pm – 04:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Risk Management 2.0: Innovations for a More Resilient Microfinance Sector
Moderator: Mr. Daniel Rozas, European Microfinance Platform
Panelists:
Mr. Timothy Tarrant, CEO – FINCA Azerbaijan
Mr. Haaris M. Chaudhary , CEO & President – Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd.
Mr. Firoz Anam , Chief Risk Officer – Credit Access Grameen Ltd.
Mr. Nadir Gul , CEO – Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
Day 2 – 9th July 2025 (Wednesday)
09:00 am – 10:00 am
Panel Discussion – Global Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
Moderator: Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)*
Panelists:
Mr. Iqbal Ahammed, Executive Director- Bangladesh Extension Education Services (BEES) & Vice-Chairman of BoD- Credit and Development Forum (CDF)
Mr. Amir Khan, President – HBL Microfinance Bank & Chair – Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN)
Md. Abdul Awal, Executive Director – Credit & Development Forum (CDF)
Mr. Anura Athapattu, Chairman, Berendina Micro Investment Company
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Coffee Break
10:30 am – 03:30 pm (incl.lunch break)
Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session II – “Data-Driven Decision-Making
for Inclusive Financial Institutions”
Trainer: Mr. Blaine Stephens, Independent Advisor
Inclusive Finance & Fintech
Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session III – Risk Mitigation by Microinsurance
Trainer: Mr. Michael J. McCord , Managing Director – MicroInsurance Centre at
MILLIMAN
Day 3 – 10th July 2025 (Thursday)
09:00 am – 10:00 am
Power Talk 2 – The Evolving Landscape of Financial Inclusion: Unlocking Synergies in Microfinance to Achieve Triple Bottom Line
Goals
Speaker: Mr. Yasir Ashfaq, CEO – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC)
followed by Q & A
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Special Session: Affordable Housing Microfinance Products
Speaker: Victor Mints, Housing Finance Specialist – IFC
followed by Q & A
10:30 am – 12:00 am
Workshop Session – Inclusive Product Design through Human-Centered Approaches
Trainers: Mr. Abhishek Anand , Partner & Associate Director Inclusive Banking & Enterprise Development – MicroSave Consulting
Mr. Shobhit Mishra , Senior Manager – MicroSave Consulting
12:00 pm Onwards
Departure for Field Visit to Rural MFI in Azerbaijan
Day 4 – 11th July 2025 (Friday)
09:00 am – 10:30 am
From Global Vision to Local Action: A Conversation on Microfinance & Climate Resilience
Moderator: Ms. Rula Mheissen, Client Protection Specialist and Head of MENA at Cerise-SPTF
Speakers:
Mr. Michael J. McCord , Managing Director – MicroInsurance Centre at MILLIMAN, Mr. Haaris M. Chaudhary , CEO & President – Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd.
followed by Q&A
10:30 am – 10:45 am
Coffee Break
10:45 am – 01:30 pm
Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session III: Leadership Development in
Financial Inclusion
Trainers: Ms. Nicole Sandra Isaacs, Senior
Manager Learning & Development – Kashf
Foundation
Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session III: Convergence of Microfinance & Islamic Finance
Trainer: Mr. Zubair Mughal , CEO – Al-Huda CIBE
Mr. Ruslan Atakishiyev, Chairman of Board Studying of Economic Resources
Baku, Azerbaijan
01:30 pm – 01:40 pm
Vote of Thanks: Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)
Certificate Distribution
01:40 onwards
Lunch Break & Departures