I had the pleasure of opening the biannual meeting of the Technical Committee of the OECD International Network on Financial Education (OECD/INFE), probably the most important international event dedicated to financial education. Hosted by the National Bank of Romania, the meeting provided a platform for dialogue among representatives from 65 countries, including Romania, representing public authorities, central banks, supervisory authorities, international organizations and experts in the field.

The OECD’s decision to accept our invitation to hold the OECD/INFE meeting in Bucharest is also a recognition of Romania’s contribution and progress in aligning with OECD standards in public policy and financial education.

In the current context, marked by successive crises, uncertainty and profound structural changes, financial education should be regarded as a key component of economic resilience. For central banks, it is closely linked to the fulfilment of fundamental objectives such as price stability, financial stability, the smooth functioning of markets and the strengthening of economic confidence.

I opened the OECD/INFE Technical Committee meeting at the National Bank of Romania’s Mitiță Constantinescu Hall, together with Magda Bianco, Chair of the International Network on Financial Education, and Miles Larbey, Head of Financial Consumer Protection, Education and Inclusion at the OECD. The discussions highlighted the Network’s main priorities for the coming years and the importance of strengthening global and regional cooperation in the field of financial education.

Below is the message addressed to the participants at the opening of the OECD/INFE meeting:
Dear Magda Bianco, Chair of Committee,
Dear Miles Larby, Head of Financial Consumer Protection,
Distinguished guests, Dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure, in my capacity as Deputy Governor, to welcome you to Romania and to the National Bank of Romania for the technical meetings of the OECD International Network on Financial Education.

We are gathered in a place of special significance. The National Bank of Romania has 146 years of history and is the 16th oldest central bank in the world. The National Bank historic Palace reflects stability and credibility, bringing together tradition and modernity, just as central banks must do today.

Financial education is no longer just an educational objective. It is a key pillar of financial stability, consumer protection, and inclusive economic growth.

In Romania, financial education has become a strategic priority. At the same time, the accession to the OECD is a major objective for our country, a natural step, I may say, following our successful integration into NATO and the European Union.

On a personal note, I want to mention that I have also long advocated for the promotion of financial education as a national priority during my 10 years mandate as Presidential Advisor of the President of Romania.

Here and now, at the National Bank of Romania, I continue to work in favor of financial education, by coordinating among others the NBR financial education programs.

Let me highlight some of our flagship initiatives: NBR EconomicHub – a modern, interactive space engaging especially young people; Top Entrepreneurship – a program strengthening financial and business skills; and Economic@NBR – a long-standing educational project that I initiated, offering lectures, research, and outreach to the policy makers.

Several public authorities, along with the National Bank of Romania, the Financial Supervisory Authority and the private stakeholders from the banking sector, joined forces to implement the National Strategy for Financial Education, aligned with the OECD principles.

The OECD has underlined that financial education is essential for developing a broader investment base and for supporting capital market development in Romania.

Dear guests,

For some of you, I am sure, this is your first visit to Bucharest or Romania. I encourage you to enjoy the city and explore it as much as possible during your stay. My colleagues from the National Bank are here to make your visit as pleasant and productive as possible, just as I hope this meeting will be.

I would also like to invite you to explore our heritage. The Old Palace of the National Bank is rich in history. You are welcome to visit both our permanent and the temporary exhibition on the history of the Romanian currency, from metal coins to polymer banknotes. Some samples can be seen right here, in our traditional conference room.

You will have the chance to admire all these during the guided tour that my colleagues have prepared for you later this afternoon.

So, I wish you fruitful debates and a pleasant stay in Romania! Enjoy!