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Events

Mission Billion: Transforming Countries and Empowering People Through Digital Identity

April 12, 2019

Washington D.C. World Bank Headquarters, MC 2-800

  • Digital identification systems can be a powerful platform to enable inclusion and the transformation of how services are delivered and accessed, particularly in the digital age. However, an estimated one billion people around the world lack official proof of identity and millions more have forms of identification that cannot be reliably verified or authenticated. This problem disproportionately affects the most vulnerable people, including marginalized women and children, refugees, and migrants.

    This event will explore how to seize the opportunity of ‘Good’ digital ID systems –those that are robust, inclusive, and trusted – to expand access to services, encourage innovation, accelerate financial inclusion, and boost the digital economy. Prominent speakers will share perspectives from their countries, organizations, and sectors.  The high-level panel will be followed by pitches from the six Mission Billion innovation challenge finalists and the announcement of the winners. The challenge sought to surface practical and cost-effective solutions to embed ‘privacy by design’ into digital ID systems and to empower people agency over their digital identity.

    The event will be livestreamed here. Share your views questions here ahead of the event.

  • SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

    • Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA)
    • Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Chief Executive Officer
    • Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire
    • Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Minister of Somalia
    • Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda
    • Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
    • Makhtar Diop, Vice President of Infrastructure, World Bank

    The panel will be moderated by Raj Kumar, President & Editor-in-Chief, Devex

Contact us

  • Registration: Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend.
  • CONTACT: Mitty Steele 
Email