UBF: UAE Selection to Host World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings 2029 Reflects Its Position as Global Financial and Economic Hub
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10 April 2026:
UAE Banking Federation, the sole representative and unified voice of UAE banks, reaffirmed that the UAE selection to host the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings for 2029 in Abu Dhabi reinforces the country's position as a global financial and economic hub, and its vital role in supporting efforts and initiatives for comprehensive and sustainable development and financial stability at the international level.
His Excellency AbdulAziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of UBF, said: "The UAE's selection to host this global event to shape economic and financial policies confirms the international community's confidence in the UAE's position and its ability to lead global dialogues. With advanced infrastructure, organisational capabilities, and expertise in organising global events, as well as its financial and economic policies, the UAE has established itself as a leading economic and financial hub globally”.
H.E. Al Ghurair added: "Over the past few years, the UAE has been able to develop a stable and resilient economic environment, and balanced fiscal and monetary policies. The financial and banking sector is a key pillar in achieving the country's strategic objectives and sustainable development goals. We are proud that the UAE is the only country in the Middle East and Africa to be selected to host these meetings, which are held every three years outside the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, for the second time since Dubai hosted these meetings in 2003. We are committed to working with strategic partners, under the direct supervision of the Central Bank of the UAE, to support all efforts related to these meetings in line with the UAE's position as a leading destination in organising events and leading constructive dialogues to develop economic and financial policies."
H.E. Al Ghurair pointed out that this selection comes in addition to many important events in the financial and economic field that the UAE will host in the same year, such as the SIBOS 2029 the annual conference, exhibition and networking event organised by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift), which is a testament to global confidence in the UAE's leading position and its vital role in leading initiatives to develop the financial and banking sector.
The UAE is also the first and only in the Middle East and Africa region to be selected by the global financial and banking sector to host the SIBOS Conference and Exhibition, as Dubai previously hosted the conference in 2013. The conference is being held in several global financial hubs such as Singapore, Geneva, Toronto, London, Amsterdam and Beijing.
