The GFF 2025 International Dialogues begin. The conversations are going global, the stage is set. The brightest minds. The boldest ideas. An invite-only conversation shaping the future of global finance, starting April 23 in Bangkok.#GFF#GFF25#InternationalDialoguespic.twitter.com/Joek1ETVFJ
Nagesh Singh outlined India’s expansion of digital payment infrastructure and highlighted opportunities for enhanced India–Thailand cooperation. Ritesh Shukla reviewed NPCI International Payments’ efforts to deploy the Unified Payments Interface across multiple markets and noted the importance of cybersecurity frameworks. Prerna Saxena described the United Nations Better Than Cash Alliance’s programmes aimed at reducing cash dependency in emerging economies and flagged the need for coordinated regulatory and technological strategies.
Preview of GFF 2025
Before the panel discussion, Sandeep Jhingran, Director of the Fintech Convergence Council, delivered a presentation on the Global Fintech Fest 2025. He provided attendees with an overview of the Fest’s core themes, highlighted flagship sessions and underlined how collaborative insights gathered today will shape the wider GFF 2025 agenda.
Panel Discussion on Innovations and Collaboration
Moderated by Sreenidhi Thubanakere, Executive Director at PwC, the panel explored central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), decentralised finance (DeFi) models, and cross-border interoperability. Pucktada Treeratpituk, Director of Payment Systems and Financial Technology Policy (FinTech) at the Bank of Thailand, provided an overview of the regulatory roadmap for fintech adoption and the retail digital baht pilot. Camilla Bullock, CEO of Emerging Payments Association Asia, discussed the role of industry standards in aligning payment protocols regionally. Syed Musheer Ahmed, Founder of Finstep Asia and Co-Founder of IndiaTech Hong Kong, presented case studies of fintech solutions targeting underserved communities, emphasising the need for context-specific approaches.
Networking and Dinner
Following formal proceedings, participants engaged in a networking dinner designed to foster informal collaboration. Attendees from government agencies, financial institutions, technology firms and non-governmental organisations discussed potential joint initiatives, pilot projects and research opportunities. The relaxed setting facilitated the exchange of contact details and preliminary planning for future partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region.
Event Summary
The International GFF Dialogue in Bangkok successfully convened a diverse group of stakeholders to review current digital payment developments and lay the groundwork for future cooperation. Opening remarks emphasised infrastructure, interoperability and inclusion, while the panel discussion and Q&A session examined regulatory, technological and social considerations. The event concluded with an opportunity for delegates to establish informal networks, reinforcing the collaborative objectives set out at the outset. By combining strategic insight with practical dialogue, the GFF Dialogue affirmed its role as a catalyst for inclusive and secure fintech advancement.
