• Khaled Balama leads the Central Bank of the UAE's delegation to the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok.

  • The central bank presents the UAE's vision for strengthening financial stability and leading in digital innovation, sustainable finance and financial inclusion.

  • Active participation in shaping the economy of the future and contributing to global discussions on finance and artificial intelligence.

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and the UAE's Governor at the International Monetary Fund, is leading the central bank's delegation to the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group, to be held in the Thai capital Bangkok from 12 to 18 October 2026 with wide participation from financial and economic policymakers around the world. The delegation includes Their Excellencies the Assistant Governors and a number of senior central bank officials.

The central bank's participation in the meetings serves a set of strategic objectives, including advancing digital transformation and using artificial intelligence to support inclusive, resilient economic growth; building a financial system able to adapt to the challenges of climate change; and financial inclusion. It will also explore economic and investment opportunities in light of current geopolitical developments and exchange views on social shifts worldwide.

The participation also aims to highlight the UAE's pioneering model in financial innovation and green finance, to develop innovative financing solutions that support financial stability and sustainable development regionally and internationally, and to reinforce the UAE's leadership in adopting advanced financial technology to build a secure digital economy. It further includes strengthening bilateral partnerships with international institutions, central banks and regulators, helping to support more inclusive and sustainable global economic growth.

Active presence and international partnerships

The delegation's agenda includes active attendance at official international meetings, led by the Group of Twenty (G20) meetings, the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan (MENAP) group meeting and the Group of Twenty-Four (G24) meeting, as well as the plenary session of the Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors, the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) and the Gulf-Asia Economic Forum.

The delegation will focus on presenting developments in the national economy, the UAE's growth outlook and its experience in strengthening financial stability, developing digital supervisory frameworks enhanced by advanced technologies and supporting fintech innovation, including advanced payments initiatives and central bank digital currency (CBDC) projects, as well as building an economic model that boosts the country's competitiveness regionally and internationally.

On the bilateral front, the delegation will hold a series of strategic meetings with central bank governors and leaders of global financial institutions, as well as bilateral meetings with central banks and international regulators, to discuss deeper cooperation in financial services innovation and the development of cross-border payments infrastructure. It will also take part in high-level events on economic cooperation, reinforcing the UAE's position as a pivotal financial hub in the global economy.

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, said: "The UAE's participation in these meetings underlines its firm commitment to the wise leadership's vision of building an advanced financial sector that leads digital innovation and sustainable finance regionally and globally. Through this international platform, we are keen to highlight the strength and resilience of the UAE's financial system and the efficiency of our regulatory and supervisory frameworks, and to explore ways to accelerate technological transformation and build resilient cross-border payments infrastructure, enhancing consumer protection and supporting inclusive, sustainable economic growth."