Abu Dhabi: In a move to solidify the UAE's position as a global financial hub, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has organised the 1st National Financial Inclusion and Literacy Policy Forum in Abu Dhabi. This event is marked as the first step to launch the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and the National Financial Literacy Strategy. According to Emirates News Agency, the forum was attended by notable figures including Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE; Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; Hamid Al Zaabi, Secretary-General and Vice-Chair of the UAE National Committee for Combatting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Illegal Organisations; and Mohamed Bin Taliah, Chief of Government Services of the UAE. Senior officials and representatives from federal and local entities, the financial sector, and international financial institutions were also present. The forum aligns with the CBUAE's efforts to meet the UAE's sustainable development goals and objectives to enhance financial inclusion and awareness. It aims to broaden access to financial services across all sectors of society to foster sustainable economic growth. The financial inclusion and literacy strategies are designed to empower consumers, small and medium enterprises, and underbanked individuals through targeted initiatives and educational programmes. These strategies will focus on creating an innovative financial ecosystem based on digitalisation and technological solutions to ensure equal and easy access to financial services for all community sectors. The development of these strategies will involve thorough studies and research with input from federal and local government entities, the private sector, and community members. This approach ensures coordinated efforts throughout the development and implementation phases. In pursuit of aligning both strategies with international best practices, the CBUAE and the World Bank have signed a partnership agreement to enhance cooperation in form ulating the national strategies and exchanging technical expertise. Khaled Mohamed Balama and Younis Haji Al Khoori witnessed the signing ceremony. The agreement was signed by Fatma Al Jabri, Assistant Governor for Financial Crime, Market Conduct and Consumer Protection at the CBUAE, and Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali, World Bank's Country Director for the GCC Countries, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations. Fatma Al Jabri highlighted the strategies as a crucial advancement towards the leadership's vision to bolster financial and economic stability and elevate social welfare in the UAE. She emphasized the commitment of CBUAE to developing effective partnerships with global financial institutions and promoting initiatives that improve financial literacy and engagement within the financial ecosystem. Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali noted that financial inclusion fosters economic growth and employment, promotes the economic empowerment of women, and supports entrepreneurship and business growth. She expressed excitement over collaborating with the CBUAE to develop strategies enabling individuals in the UAE to fully engage in the financial system and make informed financial decisions.