UAE Expands Global Financial Cooperation at IMF, World Bank Meetings
UAE strengthens international financial ties through high-level meetings with global leaders at IMF and World Bank gatherings, focusing on cooperation, taxation, and investment flows.
Tripti Srivastava 
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has intensified its global financial engagement through a series of high-level bilateral meetings held during the annual gatherings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington, with discussions spanning key fiscal priorities, taxation frameworks, and cross-border investment cooperation.
Led by Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, the UAE delegation held talks with finance leaders from multiple major economies, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, and Norway. The engagements focused on strengthening financial collaboration and reinforcing the UAE’s role in global economic governance.
High-Level Bilateral Engagements
Al Hussaini’s meetings covered a broad range of financial and economic issues, reflecting the UAE’s strategic push to deepen ties with key international partners. In discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, we focused on enhancing cooperation across financial systems, coordinating economic policy, and engaging more broadly in strategic matters.
The UAE delegation also included Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, who highlighted coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities in advancing the country’s international financial agenda.
Separate bilateral meetings with representatives from France, the United Kingdom, and Canada centred on expanding partnerships across financial sectors, improving coordination mechanisms, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in areas such as investment and regulatory alignment.
Discussions with Argentina underscored growing economic relations between the two countries, with particular emphasis on frameworks designed to facilitate investment flows. Officials reviewed the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which aims to support bilateral growth and strengthen investor confidence.
The UAE’s engagement with Switzerland and Norway focused on advancing financial cooperation through improved regulatory coordination and identifying new avenues for partnership. These talks highlighted the importance of aligning financial standards and fostering a more integrated global financial environment.
Across all meetings, the UAE emphasised its commitment to enabling cross-border capital flows and supporting sustainable economic development through strengthened financial ties.
Role in Global Financial Governance
During the meetings, Al Hussaini acknowledged the leadership of the United States in guiding the Group of 20 (G20) finance track and welcomed the UAE’s participation as a guest country. He noted that this role reflects the country’s growing influence within the international financial system.
The discussions also addressed broader fiscal and taxation priorities, including the need for coordinated approaches to global economic challenges. The UAE positioned itself as an active contributor to multilateral efforts aimed at enhancing financial stability and resilience.
The series of engagements forms part of the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen its ties with major financial centres and reinforce its standing as a global financial hub. By engaging with key economies and international institutions, the country aims to support the stability of the global financial system while advancing its domestic economic priorities.
Officials highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in navigating global uncertainties, particularly in areas related to fiscal policy, taxation and financial regulation. The UAE’s approach focuses on building long-term partnerships that facilitate investment, enhance policy coordination, and promote sustainable growth.
The meetings also reflect a coordinated effort to align the UAE’s financial policies with global standards while leveraging its position to attract investment and drive economic diversification.
Ongoing International Engagement
The IMF and World Bank annual meetings provided a platform for the UAE to engage with global stakeholders at a time of evolving economic challenges. The country’s active participation underscores its commitment to contributing to international financial dialogue and shaping policy discussions on key economic issues.
By strengthening bilateral relationships and expanding cooperation across financial sectors, the UAE continues to position itself as a central player in the global financial landscape, focusing on stability, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.
