Speakers

Saida Ismailakhunova
Senior Economist, and Global Lead for the Data systems and Statistical Operations, World Bank
Mrs. Saida Ismailakhunova is a Senior Economist and Statistician in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice of the World Bank. She is a Task Team Leader for the South Caucasus Gender, Poverty and Equity Program and a Global Lead for the Integrated Data and Statistical Operations. She has wide experience working on evidence based decisions making, inclusion, poverty, data driven governance, welfare monitoring systems and public policies in the ECA region. She led or contributed to projects aiming to strengthen national statistical systems in Armenia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. Currently she is also supporting investments in statistical systems worldwide. Prior to joining the World Bank, Ms. Ismailakhunova worked for 8 years as the Head of the Macroeconomic Analysis and Forecasting Division in the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic. She holds PhD in Economics and a master’s degree in public policy.
Speaking At
GFTN Insights
The Telegraph Hotel - Telegraph Ballroom
Open
Many emerging markets are grappling with fragmented investor ecosystems, where early-stage founders struggle to find seed capital, and later-stage companies face liquidity bottlenecks that limit scale. Global investors are increasingly interested in untapped markets, but challenges such as underdeveloped exit pathways, regulatory uncertainty, and shallow capital pools remain.
This dialogue brings together venture capitalists, institutional investors, fintech leaders, and policymakers to share lessons from developed investor markets, examine strategies that can localize best practices, and chart a path towards building vibrant, liquid ecosystems in the region.
GFTN Insights
MOMA - The Museum of Modern Art
Open
GFTN Insights
The Telegraph Hotel - Telegraph Ballroom
Open
Financial services stand at the cusp of a new innovation cycle where AI, tokenisation, and quantum computing are converging to reshape market infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and financial intermediation. These technologies will not only transform how institutions operate but also influence how jurisdictions compete as fintech hubs in the next decade.
This roundtable brings together central bank leaders, industry innovators, and academic experts to unpack what this next cycle means for regulators and policymakers, particularly in emerging markets. The dialogue will explore how to safeguard competitiveness while embracing innovation, what standards and guardrails are needed to balance resilience with experimentation, and how to translate new technologies into trusted, inclusive financial ecosystems.
Workshop
The Telegraph Hotel - Post Meeting Room
Open
This workshop delves into the evolution of crypto exchanges into all-encompassing ecosystems that seamlessly integrate trading, asset management, and real-world payments. Participants will engage in a hands-on exploration of Bybit Pay & Card, understanding how payment infrastructure connects Web3 innovation to everyday use. The session will also highlight key compliance principles that drive sustainable growth across regions. An interactive exercise will allow participants to design their ideal Web3 ecosystem, fostering deeper insights into the future of digital finance.
Workshop
The Telegraph Hotel - Post Meeting Room
Open
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to move value quickly, securely, and across borders is critical for economic growth. Yet, global settlement infrastructure faces challenges. From fragmented systems, high costs, and delayed settlements to regulatory complexities and evolving technological demands.
In this interactive workshop, hosted by Visa, we will explore how the settlement landscape is evolving, the role of emerging technologies, and how collaboration between financial institutions, fintechs, and regulators can drive innovation. Participants will engage in discussions and rapid ideation to envision the future of a frictionless, scalable, and inclusive global settlement network.