Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 26 to 28 May 2025, the city of Samarkand is hosting the 15th meeting of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Policy Initiative (ECAPI), organized by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) in partnership with the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event brings together over 100 participants from government agencies, international and regional organizations, development institutions, and expert communities from more than 15 countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Egypt, Fiji, and others.

The meeting’s core objective is to strengthen regional cooperation in expanding financial access, promoting sustainable development, and advancing inclusive green finance (IGF), while enhancing the role of regulators in shaping and implementing effective policies in these areas.

The three-day event is structured around the following key formats:

Participants will discuss priority topics, such as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through traditional and alternative financial instruments, including crowdfunding, factoring, and more. The agenda includes the development of green finance products and the promotion of financial literacy as a tool to advance IGF among SMEs and the broader population.

The day also marks the beginning of work on the draft ECAPI Intercountry Declaration on IGF. In addition, national initiatives under the ICI platform (Inclusive Digital Innovation) will be presented, focusing on digitalization, consumer protection, and climate finance. Speakers include representatives from the central banks of Egypt, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, North Macedonia, and Uzbekistan.

This practical field day will take participants to visit small enterprises in agriculture, IT, tourism, and handicrafts. The aim is to provide a first-hand view of Uzbekistan’s experience in supporting SMEs and fostering engagement with financial institutions.

The final day will center on discussions about future cooperation with international financial institutions. The spotlight will be on current initiatives and joint opportunities in the areas of financial inclusion and climate finance.

The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been a full member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) since 2018. Hosting the 15th ECAPI meeting in Samarkand highlights the country’s active role in driving the regional financial reform agenda. In 2025, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan assumes the chairmanship of ECAPI, reaffirming its commitment to coordinating efforts among regulators to implement advanced approaches to financial inclusion and sustainable development.

Current ECAPI members include the Central Bank of Armenia, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of the Republic of Kazakhstan (associate member), the Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia, the National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia, the National Bank of Tajikistan, and the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan.