The World Bank Group’s Identification for Development (ID4D) High-level Advisory Council held its first meeting on 12 October 2017. The Council is composed of eminent leaders from the public and private sectors, and will provide strategic guidance to the ID4D Initiative as it scales up its country and regional engagements. The creation of the Council recognizes the key role of robust, inclusive and responsible ID systems in advancing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as promoting social protection, women and girls empowerment, financial inclusion, governance, healthcare, digital development and improved humanitarian responses.