Banks Powering a Livable Planet
This year’s observance of the International Day of Banks highlights the essential role of multilateral development banks, international development banks and domestic banking systems in advancing sustainable development, supporting climate action and improving standards of living.
The 2025 theme draws its rationale from three interconnected imperatives: financing a livable planet, closing the SDG financing gap and strengthening resilient and inclusive finance. Banks are central to aligning financial flows with global climate commitments, addressing structural financing shortfalls that hinder progress in developing countries and expanding access to affordable, responsible financial services for vulnerable communities. By integrating environmental risks, supporting long-term investment and promoting inclusive digital finance, banking institutions can help reshape development pathways and uphold the promise of the 2030 Agenda.
The overall objective of this year’s observance is to spotlight and reinforce the transformative role of banks in enabling sustainable development. The United Nations calls on governments, international financial institutions, regulators, commercial banks and civil society to work together to scale up long-term, SDG-aligned financing and strengthen financial systems that work for both people and planet. Through global and national dialogues, knowledge sharing and inclusive partnerships, the 2025 observance aims to galvanize concrete action that empowers banking systems to drive sustainable, resilient and inclusive development worldwide.
#DayOfBanks
Key Messages
Banks are development actors. Banks at all levels are not only intermediaries of capital; they are central to shaping development pathways and must align their business models with the SDGs and climate objectives.
Closing the SDG financing gap is possible. With coherent policies, risk-sharing instruments, and strong partnerships, banks can mobilize and channel finance at scale for sustainable development and a just, green transition.
Resilience and inclusion go hand in hand. Financial systems are more stable and resilient when they are inclusive, diverse and anchored in the real economy, with safeguards for people and planet.
Digitalization is a powerful enabler. Digital financial services can be a powerful driver of inclusion and efficiency, provided that risks to stability, integrity, data protection and consumer rights are effectively managed.
Global solidarity is essential. International financial institutions, advanced economies and global capital markets have a responsibility to support developing countries in securing affordable, long-term finance for sustainable development.
Background
On 19 December 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 74/245, which designated 4 December as the International Day of Banks in recognition of the significant potential of multilateral development banks and other international development banks in financing sustainable development and providing know-how; and also in recognition of the vital role of the banking systems in Member States in contributing to the improvement of the standard of living.
In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative Sustainable Development Goals reaffirming its commitment to fully implementing them by 2030. Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains the greatest global challenge and a prerequisite for sustainable development. The SDGs aim for balanced economic, social and environmental progress, building on the Millennium Development Goals and addressing unfinished gaps.
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https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-banks