On 13 May 2026, the Regional Workshop on the “Way Forward of the WE Finance Code in Central Asia” was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss progress and next steps for advancing the initiative across the region.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan for hosting the workshop. It was a privilege to hold the event in Tashkent, which provided a welcoming setting for regional dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among champions working to advance women’s entrepreneurship finance across Central Asia and Mongolia.
The workshop brought together WE Finance Code champions and national coordinators from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia to reflect on progress achieved and jointly shape the roadmap for the next phase of implementation and scale-up across the region.
The workshop focused on several key objectives:
- Defining priorities and co-developing a roadmap for the next phase of implementation and scale-up of the WE Finance Code
- Strengthening regional collaboration and coordination mechanisms among implementing institutions
- Identifying key challenges and areas requiring further technical and institutional support
The event brought together an exceptional group of leaders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia, including:
- Azat Alibekov, Director of Risk Analysis and Stress-Testing Department, Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of Financial Market
- Nariste Japarova, Head of Financial Sector Sustainable Development Unit, National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
- Batchimeg Batbold, Director, Market Research and Development Department, Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia
- Misheel Delgerjav, Coordinator, Sustainable Development and Green Finance Policy Division, Bank of Mongolia
- Ainura Tezekbaeva, Project Manager, Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan
- Amar Lkhagvasuren, Chief Executive, Mongolian Bankers Association
- Zebunisso Fattidinova, Director, Agency for Financial Organizations of Tajikistan
The workshop was made possible with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). We extend our special appreciation to Andi Aranitasi and Mariam Kobalia for their insights, and to Raushan Tulepbaeva for her valuable guidance and continued support throughout the initiative.
The discussion was facilitated by ConsumerCentriX’s team of experts: Anna Gincherman, Istvan Szepesy, Emna Mraidi, and Jamolbi Khushqadamova, together with IPC resident experts Azamat Baltabaev and Lola Umarova, who have been working closely with WE Finance Code champions to strengthen coordination and implementation across the region.
A key outcome of the workshop was the development of strategies and priorities for advancing the WE Finance Code across the region, covering coalition building, WSME definition alignment, gender-disaggregated data systems, and signatory engagement and capacity building needed in the next phase of implementation.
Through collaborative discussions and working sessions, participating countries refined their national roadmaps, exchanged experiences and best practices, and contributed to the WE Finance Code Roadmap for Scale-up 2026–2028. The workshop reinforced the importance of regional cooperation and coordinated action in advancing women’s access to finance and building more inclusive financial ecosystems across Central Asia and Mongolia.
