The Central Bank of the UAE concluded its participation in the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok by signing the agreement for the UAE to host the 2029 meetings in Abu Dhabi. The central bank also advanced cooperation on cross-border financial infrastructure, digital currencies, artificial intelligence and supervision through bilateral discussions with counterparts from China, South Korea and Singapore. Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama used the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan meeting to highlight the UAE economy’s diversification, policy frameworks, fiscal buffers, low public debt and sovereign assets. The delegation also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Bank of Georgia covering monetary policy, supervision, payments and financial technology, and held initial planning discussions with IMF and World Bank teams for the 2029 gathering. Its annual UAE Banks Reception brought together more than 600 financial leaders and policymakers.
Central Bank of the UAE signs agreement to host 2029 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings and expands financial partnerships
The Central Bank of the UAE signed the agreement for the UAE to host the 2029 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi. At the 2026 meetings in Bangkok, it also pursued cooperation with China, South Korea, Singapore and Georgia on payments, digital currencies, artificial intelligence and financial supervision.