A delegation of Indian students from the Ashoka Group of Schools, Nashik, India, proudly participated in Geneva Peace Week 2025 in collaboration with the World Fund for Development and Planning (WFDP).

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to explore key international institutions, including the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, the Palais des Nations, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office.

The visit was successfully coordinated and organized by Dr. Dinesh Sabnis, Additional Representative to UNOG for WFDP, ensuring a valuable educational and diplomatic experience for the participating students.

His Excellency Ambassador Ekramy El Zaghat, President of the World Fund for Development and Planning (WFDP), has announced a strategic decision to adopt digital currencies as a primary tool for financing development projects across the African continent, as well as for supporting the Fund’s social programs and activities worldwide.

Ambassador El Zaghat emphasized that this decision comes following a series of consultations with senior leaders and officials from several countries, some of which have expressed their readiness to recognize the Fund’s digital currency and accept it as an approved means of payment. He further revealed that in the coming days, the Fund will announce its first development project to be fully financed using the WFDP’s digital currency.

In addition, Ambassador El Zaghat declared that the WFDP will integrate artificial intelligence technologies into several of its service and educational activities. This initiative will be accompanied by comprehensive training and educational programs for the Fund’s human resources, aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to utilize these technologies effectively and to keep pace with global digital transformation.

The President of the WFDP affirmed that these steps are part of a broader strategy designed to strengthen sustainable financing mechanisms, enhance transparency and efficiency in project implementation, and maximize the positive impact of the Fund’s development and social initiatives on both regional and international levels.

Ambassador El Zaghat concluded by stating that this milestone represents a significant leap forward in the Fund’s journey, underscoring its firm commitment to innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge digital solutions in the service of global development and planning.

Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, Financial Advisor to the President’s Office of the World Fund for Development and Planning (WFDP), attended the 8th Financial Crime Symposium hosted by Deloitte Middle East in Dubai. The event brought together leading regulators, business leaders, and industry experts to address the rapidly evolving global financial crime landscape, with particular emphasis on the UAE.

During the conference, expert speakers and panellists underscored the pressing impact of financial crime on regulated entities, highlighting the growing risk landscape, regulatory compliance obligations, and broader societal consequences. Discussions also explored innovative approaches to strengthening the anti-financial crime ecosystem, including advanced technologies and strategic collaborations.

The symposium emphasized the importance of cooperation and knowledge-sharing across jurisdictions to safeguard economic growth and uphold integrity in global trade hubs, with the UAE positioned as a key focal point.

Key sessions delved into topics such as realigning control frameworks to confront emerging threats, the potential applications of generative AI in combating financial crime, and the increasing demands for robust due diligence, transaction monitoring, and sanctions screening by banks, exchange houses, and regulators.

Speaking on behalf of the WFDP President’s Office, Mr. Kapoor noted the critical role of global partnerships and regulatory alignment in protecting financial systems and ensuring sustainable economic resilience.