The United Arab Emirates successfully concluded its active participation in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, which were held in Washington, D.C. from October 13 to October 18, 2025. The UAE’s involvement served as a significant milestone in supporting international dialogue regarding development financing, the stability of the global financial system, and efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development.
Mohammed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, emphasized that the UAE’s participation in these meetings aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance international financial coordination, develop innovative financing tools, and support the sustainability of global economic growth.
He added that the UAE continues to play an active role as a partner in the development of global financial governance frameworks and in identifying practical solutions to current developmental and economic challenges. This year’s meetings were an important platform for reinforcing collaboration with international financial institutions, sharing expertise on sustainable financing, financial inclusion, and the green transition.
Meeting Overview
Minister Al Hussaini attended the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting within the framework of the annual meetings, where discussions centered on global policies of the IMF, including economic developments and the Fund’s role in addressing them.
In his address, he noted that recent significant political shifts have heightened uncertainty and revealed new vulnerabilities within the global economy. He stressed that developing and emerging economies are more susceptible to a sharp slow-down compared to advanced economies.
He also stated that addressing this trajectory requires a united front centered on multilateralism and enhanced international cooperation to restore confidence and redirect the global economy to a stable path, while underlining the essential role of the IMF as a reliable advisor and an effective platform for global dialogue during uncertain times.
Additionally, he highlighted the need for the IMF to remain a quota-based institution with adequate resources that take into account the interests of emerging markets and developing economies, as well as the importance of capacity building and supporting policies for transitional countries to foster private sector-led growth through structural reforms and trade integration.
G20 Meeting
As part of the annual meetings, the UAE participated in the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors’ meeting, which concluded the G20’s financial track under South Africa’s presidency in 2025. The meeting addressed issues related to reforming the international financial system, global financial and economic stability, and enhancing G20 cooperation with Africa, along with the group’s role in tackling global debt sustainability challenges.
The meeting also featured a presentation of the G20’s priorities for 2026 by the United States and concluded with the release of the “Final Summary of the G20 Financial Track,” which reviewed the work of various task forces this year in areas such as international financial structure reform, sustainable financing, financial inclusion, macroeconomic stability, infrastructure development, and healthcare financing.
BRICS Meeting
The UAE took part in a BRICS meeting focused on “Enhancing Multilateral Cooperation to Address Development Financing Issues and Global Governance Challenges.” The meeting, which included finance ministry officials and deputy central bank governors from member countries, discussed ensuring more equitable representation of the Global South in the governance of international institutions such as the IMF, while exploring ways to coordinate BRICS countries’ efforts in providing development-specific financing.
The UAE expressed its appreciation for the progress made under Brazil’s BRICS presidency this year, noting that the financial track results were of great importance and held exceptional value, reflected in the joint financial statement of BRICS countries, the Rio de Janeiro vision for reforming the IMF governance and quota system, and the BRICS joint statement supporting the UN Framework Agreement on International Tax Cooperation, which was endorsed at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro last July.
Arab Governors Meeting
During the annual meetings, the UAE participated in a meeting of Arab governors with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, where discussions focused on exploring opportunities to enhance a more coordinated and proactive approach to recovery and reconstruction efforts in the region. The aim was to mobilize the private sector to support sustainable growth, create jobs, and promote innovation, while integrating digital transformation into labor market strategies and achieving a balance between adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts.
During this meeting, the UAE underscored the importance of governance, transparency, and institutional resilience within recovery frameworks, as well as addressing infrastructure gaps, investing in human capital, and expanding opportunities in the digital and green economies through increased private sector participation.
Additionally, on the sidelines of the meetings, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE and the UAE Embassy in Washington, organized a reception for UAE banks. The event attracted international officials and heads of global financial institutions, serving as a vital platform to highlight the key role of national banks in supporting the country’s strategic direction toward sustainable financing and expanding international partnerships in investment, financial technology, and development financing. This occasion also reinforced the UAE’s status as an open and progressive global financial hub, confirming the readiness of the Emirati banking sector to contribute to financing the global economic transformation through innovative financial solutions and cross-border partnerships that enhance the resilience and sustainability of the international financial system.