5th Annual Forum on Expanding Women’s Participation in the Economy: The Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code in Asia and the Pacific

The 5th Annual Forum on Expanding Women’s Participation in the Economy will center on the WE Finance Code and the creation of a strong ecosystem aimed at enhancing investments in women-owned/led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (WMSMEs). Scheduled for 25-27 March 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, the forum will convene WE Finance Code champions, international experts, and representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) member countries to discuss policy recommendations and share experiences. Key sessions will address updates on the Code in piloting countries, the alignment of WMSME definitions, the integration of sex-disaggregated data into regulatory frameworks, the development of digital data solutions, and strategies for enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors. With over 400 million women entrepreneurs globally, there exists a significant $1.7 trillion growth opportunity for financial service providers and a potential $5 trillion–$6 trillion contribution to the global economy. The WE Finance Code, launched in October 2023, aims to address the financing and data gaps faced by women entrepreneurs and is currently being piloted in 26 countries, including Fiji, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The forum's objectives include fostering understanding of the Code's importance, equipping policymakers with the necessary tools to support women's economic participation, and building a network of stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. Target participants include policymakers, experts from various international organizations, and representatives from financial institutions. The expected outcomes are enhanced understanding of data's role in supporting women entrepreneurs, increased capacity among policymakers to develop supportive regulatory frameworks, and improved dialogue and networking among government agencies and the private sector. Registration is by invitation or prior arrangement with ADBI and partners such as the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.