The UAE participated in the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Central Bank of the UAE held bilateral meetings with the People's Bank of China and other central banks to discuss payment systems, innovation, and sustainable finance. In addition, the UAE signed an agreement to host the 2029 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi.
The Saudi Central Bank has concluded its formal participation in Project mBridge following the completion of a proof-of-concept phase in May 2025. The cross-border digital currency initiative was developed jointly with China and the UAE to facilitate non-dollar trade settlements. Operations continue among the remaining participants, including the central banks of the UAE, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
The Saudi Central Bank has ended its formal participation in Project mBridge, the multilateral central bank digital currency platform developed with China and the UAE. While the central bank stated that its exit was planned following a completed proof-of-concept phase in May 2025, the disclosure has prompted debate over geopolitical pressures and non-dollar settlement systems. The platform continues operations among remaining central banks, including China, the UAE, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
Central Bank of the UAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama met with People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng in Bangkok on October 14, 2026. The bilateral discussions focused on central banking cooperation, financial infrastructure links, and cross-border capital flows. Officials noted that bilateral non-oil merchandise trade reached AED 410 billion in 2025.
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