The Bishkek International Finance Forum (BIFF2025) will take place on 30 May 2025, at Novotel Bishkek City Center. This annual event has become one of the most anticipated gatherings for the banking and financial community of Central Asia, bringing together key players from across the region to discuss current trends, challenges, and the future of the financial ecosystem.
BIFF serves as a unique platform for exchanging ideas, sharing expertise, and building connections between commercial banks, international development organizations, financial regulators, and leading experts. Each year, the forum sets the stage for important regional dialogue and lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration.
In 2025, the forum will focus on digital transformation and the future of payments, with a strong emphasis on the development of digital assets, fintech innovation, and financial ecosystems. In addition, the role of remittances as a driver of financial inclusion and regional development will be highlighted, recognizing their significance in supporting livelihoods and boosting local economies across Central Asia.
The event will open with a high-level plenary session, featuring speakers from central banks, global companies like Visa and Kaspersky Lab, as well as representatives from international organizations and financial regulators. Key themes will include:
· The impact of fintech, AI, blockchain, and digital assets on the financial sector;
· Expanding financial inclusion through digital channels;
· Ensuring data security and resilience in the face of growing cyber threats;
· Public-private cooperation for enabling financial innovation;
· Regulatory developments in the field of virtual assets.
One of the featured speakers at the plenary will be Pavel Shust, Regional Coordinator of the REMIT PRIME Central Asia Programme (IFAD), who will share practical case studies from the region and speak on the topic: “From Product to Ecosystem; From Ecosystem to User Experience – Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional Finance.” His presentation will explore how remittance-linked financial products can evolve into inclusive digital ecosystems that better serve migrants and their families.
In the afternoon, the forum will host two parallel panel sessions, each addressing critical aspects of digital finance:
· Panel A: Digital Transformation and Payments. Development of Digital Assets
This session will explore the evolution of modern payment systems, the growing role of cashless and contactless technologies, and the regulatory and operational challenges posed by cryptocurrencies and decentralized financial systems.
· Panel B: Cybersecurity, Antifraud, and Risk Management
As digital financial services expand, this session will address the increasing complexity of cyber threats, the use of artificial intelligence in fraud prevention, and the importance of building cyber resilience and effective risk management frameworks within financial institutions.
BIFF2025 is expected to attract participants from across Central Asia and beyond, including representatives of banking associations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and other countries. The forum will provide a valuable opportunity for financial sector leaders to explore new trends, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to shaping the future of finance in the region.
