The United Arab Emirates expanded its participation in the global financial architecture during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in Bangkok from 12 to 18 October, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).
During the meetings, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) conducted bilateral discussions with the People's Bank of China, the Bank of Korea, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the National Bank of Ethiopia, alongside other international financial institutions. WAM reported that discussions focused on exchanging expertise in financial stability, financial innovation, payment systems, and sustainable finance. CBUAE also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Bank of Georgia covering monetary policy, banking supervision, payment systems, and financial technology.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE and the UAE's Governor at the IMF, stated that the country's economy maintains strong financial buffers, low public debt ratios, and substantial sovereign assets. The UAE also signed a formal agreement in Bangkok to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Abu Dhabi.
The annual meetings highlighted the election of Ali Mohamed Al Hosani as the first Emirati Executive Director at the IMF. Concurrently, CBUAE, in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Finance and the UAE Banks Federation, organized the Annual UAE Banks Reception in Bangkok, bringing together more than 600 financial sector leaders, central bank governors, and finance ministers.
Sources
- www.wam.ae · 2026-10-25
