The Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, Anca Dragu, participated today, 21 May 2025, in the official opening of the event "Bucharest Leaders' Summit: The Path to 5.0. From Vision To Reality", held in Bucharest.

The event, which will take place from 21 May to 16 June, brings together over 400 leaders and experts from international institutions, representatives of the Parliament and Government of Romania, the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as specialists from the academic, professional, and business sectors.

In her speech, the Governor of the NBM emphasised the Republic of Moldova's firm commitment to European integration, highlighting a key moment in the country's financial modernisation process: the accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).

"The Republic of Moldova is very determined on the European path - a clear and irreversible journey, because the European Union is the space of democracy, prosperity and peace", stated Anca Dragu, highlighting the historic impact of the direct connection of the Republic of Moldova to the European financial infrastructure.

The Governor noted that most Moldovan banks have already been accepted for technical interconnection in SEPA, thus facilitating faster, safer, and more accessible payments in euro, directly benefiting citizens and entrepreneurs.

"At the National Bank of Moldova we take on the role of catalyst for progress. We are developing a modern financial ecosystem, based on innovation, security, and inclusion, while supporting financial education and the resilience of the banking system," emphasised the head of the central bank.

At the same time, the Governor presented the "FinanciarELE" initiative - a program launched by the NBM, dedicated to supporting women who want to build a career in the financial sector and better understand the functioning of economic mechanisms.

"A healthy financial system is one that provides equal opportunities for all. Women must play an active and visible role in this transformation effort", said Anca Dragu.

In conclusion, the Governor of the NBM reaffirmed the importance of the strategic partnership between the Republic of Moldova and Romania, seen not only as an institutional collaboration, but as a deep alliance for the future, built on shared values and the desire to transform the region into a safe, modern and prosperous space.

The event is part of the 29th edition of the national project "Together We Protect Romania", organised by the MediaUno Press Group, the MediaUno Association, the Department for Sustainable Development and the National Institute of Statistics. The summit’s agenda includes a series of thematic conferences focusing on current issues such as global security, digitalisation, energy, education, demographics, gender equality and sustainable development.