Agenda
Day 0 – 18th May 2025 (Sunday)
04:00 pm onwards :
Registration & Welcoming the Guests
06:00 pm – 06:15 pm:
Welcome Note by Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)
06:15 pm – 06:30 pm:
Introduction and Objectives of the Training Program by Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – GAFI
06:30 pm – 07:00 pm:
Keynote Address on “The Global Landscape of Financial Inclusion & the Key Role for Microfinance” by Ms. Sophie
Sirtaine, CEO – CGAP*
07:00 pm – 07:30 pm:
Motivational Session on ‘Global Perspectives, Unified Goals: Inspiring Change Through Collaborations’ by Mr.Shameran Abed, Director Microfinance – BRAC International *
07:30 pm – 08:30 pm:
Panel Discussion: United for Growth: The Role of Cross-Border Alliances in Advancing Microfinance Goals
Moderator: IFC
Panelists:
Ms. Katarzyna Pawlak , Executive Director – MFC Poland*
Dr. Rashid Bajwa , CEO – National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)
Mr. Mifta Naim Huda , CEO – Centre for Development Innovation and Practices (CDIP)
Mr. Venkatesh N , Founder and Managing Director – IIFL Samasta Finance Limited*
08:30 pm onwards: Welcome/Inaugural Dinner
Day 1 – 19th May 2025 (Monday)
09:00 am – 10:00 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)
10:00 am – 10:15 am:
Coffee Break
10:15 am – 03:15 pm (incl.lunch break)
Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session I – “Data-Driven Innovations for Financial Inclusion”
Focus: Big Data, AI, and Predictive Analytics in Microfinance
Trainer: Mr. Blaine Stephens, Independent Advisor Inclusive Finance & Fintech
Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session I – Sustainable Finance: Making Financial Institutions ESG & USSEMP Compliant
Trainer: Ms. Laura Foose, Executive Director at Cerise + SPTF *
03:15 pm – 03:30 pm:
Coffee Break
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:
Ms. Jhale Hajiyeva , Executive Director at Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association*
Dr. M. A. Baqui Khalily, Professor – Department of Business Administration, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mr. Haaris M. Chaudhary , CEO & President – Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd.
Mr. Firoz Anam , Chief Risk Officer – Credit Access Grameen Ltd
05:00 pm onwards:
Visit to Azərbaycan Respublikası Mərkəzi Bankı*
Day 2 – 20th May 2025 (Tuesday)
09:00 am – 10:00 am:
Power Talk 2 – Climate Change and Microfinance: Building Resilience in Vulnerable Communities
Speaker: Mr. Michael J. McCord, Managing Director – MicroInsurance Centre at MILLIMAN
10:00 am – 10:30 am:
Coffee Break
Day 3 – 21st May 2025 (Wednesday)
09:00 am – 09:30 am:
Keynote Address: Mr. Fazlul Kader, Managing Director – PKSF
09:30 am – 10:30 am:
Power Talk 3 – 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)
10:30 am – 11:00 am:
Coffee Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm:
Panel Discussion – Global Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
Moderator: Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)*
Panelists:
Mr. Aamir Khan , President – HBL Microfinance Bank & Chair – Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN)
Mr. J P Sharma , CGM, Department of Regulation – Reserve Bank of India *
Mr. Abdul Karim , former Principal Secretary to the Bangladesh Prime Minister
12:00 pm – 01:00 pm:
PowerTalk 4: Topic to be confirmed by IFC
Speaker: Ms. Momina Aijazuddin, IFC’s Regional Head of Industry for Financial Institutions
01:00 pm – 02:00 pm:
Lunch Break
02:00 pm onwards:
Departure for Field Visit to Rural MFI in Azerbaijan*
Day 4 – 22nd May 2025 (Thursday)
09:00 am – 10:00 am:
PowerTalk 4: Global Landscape for Equity & Debt Investment in Microfinance
Speaker: Ms. Deborah Drake, Council Director – Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC)
10:00 am – 10:15 am:
Coffee Break
10:15 am – 03:15 pm (incl.lunch break)
Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session III – Leadership Development in Financial Inclusion
Trainer: Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director – Kashf Foundation
Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session III – Risk Mitigation by Microinsurance
Trainer: Mr. Craig Churchill, Chief, Social Finance Programme – International Labour Organization *
03:15 pm – 03:30 pm:
Vote of Thanks: Md. Abdul Awal, Executive Director – Credit & Development Forum (CDF)
Certificate Distribution
*To be confirmed