CGAP's role as an international and multi-donor organization makes it uniquely able to provide a platform where all stakeholders—donors, central banks and other regulatory bodies, and microfinance practitioners—can discuss and develop industry-wide standards and guidelines for microfinance. The objective is to encourage convergence towards common approaches and standards in policy, regulation, and supervision.

CGAP selectively participates in high-level policy conferences that offer direct opportunities to influence real policy change. On an ongoing basis, CGAP engages in Multilateral Policy Consultations with the World Bank, the IMF, and other international financial organizations who in turn work directly with national authorities responsible for designing better policies to promote financial services for the poor.

Upon specific request, CGAP also engages in Country-Level Policy Consultations to educate policymakers about the importance of financial services to the poor and the range of international experience in this sector. Priority is given to policy work that concretely contributes to the establishment of appropriate enabling environments or has the potential to pre-empt the establishment of policies or programs that would undermine the development of the sector in a particular country.