# Digital Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals with the UN Capital Development Fund

![](/sites/default/files/styles/article_image/public/uncdf%20logo.png?itok=8mmApELY)  Wednesday, September 25, 2019 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM  Cantor Boardroom Timed to the opening of the General Assembly of the United Nations this fall, NYU Stern's Business & Society Program and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) hosted "Digital Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals," co-sponsored by Stern clubs Net Impact and Economic Development Group.

!["Digital Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals" event attendees](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/BSP%20Sustainable%20Development%202019%20Bigger%20Body%201.jpg)
Left to right: Professor Matthew Statler; Henri Dommel, Maggie Paruta, Gloria Li, Savita Bailur, Francesca Chia, Alexander Cao, Ahmed Dermish and Mara Van Loggerenberg

Following introductions by NYU Stern Professor Matt Statler and student leaders Alexander Cao and Maggie Paruta, co-presidents from Net Impact and Economic Development Group respectively, participants heard from a variety of speakers on how their firms are leveraging fintech to expand access to the digital economy. Guests included: - Savita Bailur, research director, Caribou Digital
- Francesca Chia, founder, GoGet Malaysia
- Ahmed Dermish, policy and digital ecosystem specialist, UNCDF
- Henri Dommel, director of inclusive finance, UNCDF
- Stern alumna Gloria Li (BS ’17), analyst, Google
- Sabine Mensah, regional technical specialist, UNCDF

![Sabine Mensah, Gloria Li, Savita Bailur, Francesca Chia](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/images/BSP%20Sustainable%20Development%202019%20Bigger%20Body%202.jpg)
Left to right: Sabine Mensah, Gloria Li, Savita Bailur, Francesca Chia

Following the panel, student attendees and experts from industry participated in roundtable breakout discussions, with the goal of contributing digital solutions to a range of financial inclusion challenges. Students involved in Net Impact and the Economic Development Group plan to continue expanding on these digital technology challenges through their clubs and in collaboration with UNCDF.

> Our Regional Technical Specialist for [\#WestAfrica](https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestAfrica?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@MensahSabine](https://twitter.com/MensahSabine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) sharing insights from [\#DFS](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DFS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) market. <https://t.co/L0xArelnJ1>
>
> — Bery Kandji (@bery\_kandji) [September 25, 2019](https://twitter.com/bery_kandji/status/1176969561536696321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> “Currently, there are over 3 billion people who do not have access to the internet or good internet.” - Gloria Li from Google. [\#UNGA](https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@NYUStern](https://twitter.com/NYUStern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/SlKFH1twMX](https://t.co/SlKFH1twMX)
>
> — UNCDF (@UNCDF) [September 25, 2019](https://twitter.com/UNCDF/status/1176905992111611904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Good digital [\#financialinclusion](https://twitter.com/hashtag/financialinclusion?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) inclusion panel today with [@UNCDF](https://twitter.com/UNCDF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) at [@NYUStern](https://twitter.com/NYUStern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) - Gloria Li from [@google](https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) is explaining the Loon project where high altitude balloons provides internet access in rural areas [pic.twitter.com/DiC1YOJxeE](https://t.co/DiC1YOJxeE)
>
> — FT Moral Money (@ftmoralmoney) [September 25, 2019](https://twitter.com/ftmoralmoney/status/1176904359759818752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Prof Matt Statler kicks off an event on, “Digital Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals,” hosted by [\#NYUStern](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYUStern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)'s Business &amp; Society Program and the UN Capital Development Fund, co-sponsored by Stern clubs Net Impact and Economic Development Group. [pic.twitter.com/ge5W46TzIg](https://t.co/ge5W46TzIg)
>
> — NYU Stern (@NYUStern) [September 25, 2019](https://twitter.com/NYUStern/status/1176899283536228357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)