The UAE will participate in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Bangkok from October 12 to 18, with a delegation led by Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs. This engagement aims to address critical issues such as global financial stability, development financing, and international financial cooperation, marking a significant step as the UAE prepares to host the same meetings in Abu Dhabi in 2029.
Strategic Financial Discussions
The UAE delegation will engage in a comprehensive agenda that includes ministerial and central bank discussions at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Al Hussaini emphasized that these meetings serve as a strategic platform for aligning perspectives and enhancing international economic dialogue. The UAE aims to leverage its participation to strengthen partnerships and promote innovative financing solutions that support inclusive development and economic resilience.
Among the key events, the delegation will participate in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) Ministers and Governors Meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. This forum will allow regional policymakers to discuss economic and financial developments impacting MENAP economies. Additionally, UAE officials will attend the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, as well as the main Annual Meetings Plenary Session.
Strengthening Banking Ties
The UAE’s presence in Bangkok will extend beyond governmental discussions, as the country seeks to enhance international connections within its banking and financial services sector. On October 15, the Central Bank of the UAE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the UAE Banks Federation, will host the UAE Banks Reception. This event aims to deepen strategic ties between UAE banks and their regional and international counterparts.
More than 26 entities, including government bodies, regulators, and financial institutions, will participate in this gathering, which will focus on themes such as global financial stability, sustainable finance, and digital transformation. The reception is designed to create direct opportunities for UAE financial institutions to engage with finance ministers, central bank governors, and other senior decision-makers attending the Annual Meetings.
Looking Ahead to Abu Dhabi 2029
The significance of the Bangkok meetings is heightened by Abu Dhabi’s selection to host the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings in October 2029. This decision, announced on April 10, 2026, will bring one of the world’s most important financial gatherings back to the UAE, which last hosted the event in Dubai in 2003. The meetings typically focus on global economic outlooks, financial stability, and development challenges, making the upcoming Abu Dhabi event a pivotal moment for the UAE on the international stage.
Al Hussaini’s previous role as chair of the World Bank-IMF Development Committee underscores the UAE’s growing involvement in international financial governance. The country’s participation in the Bangkok meetings is part of a broader strategy to enhance its role in global economic discussions and strengthen relationships with international financial institutions.
The Ministry of Finance has reiterated the UAE’s commitment to shaping the global economic landscape while fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. As policymakers navigate shifting economic conditions, the UAE aims to actively contribute to discussions on financial stability and sustainable development financing.
For further details on the meetings, you can refer to the official announcement from the World Bank Group and IMF here.
