World Bank-IMF Pick Abu Dhabi for 2029, Salute Thailand's Gold-Standard Hosting
World Bank-IMF Pick Abu Dhabi for 2029, Salute Thailand's Gold-Standard Hosting
The World Bank and IMF have officially signed a host country agreement with the United Arab Emirates to bring the 2029 Annual Meetings to Abu Dhabi, marking only the second time the event returns to the UAE since Dubai hosted it back in 2003.
The signing ceremony brought together:
🔹 Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group
🔹 Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF
🔹 Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs
🔹 Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE
■ What they said:
● President Banga praised the UAE's hospitality, open capital markets, and remarkable transformation over recent decades, also highlighting Abu Dhabi as a hub for gender equity knowledge. He noted that meetings outside Washington, D.C. create unique opportunities to bring together policymakers, bankers, academics, and civil society.
● MD Georgieva called hosting outside Washington a memorable moment for members, quoting the UAE's founding father on preparing future generations for a rapidly changing world. She also gave a special shoutout to Thailand for setting an incredibly high bar as host — praising the preparation, dedication, cultural programming, and hospitality. She's also confident that Abu Dhabi will deliver its own wonders in 2029.
● UAE officials expressed pride and gratitude for being entrusted with hosting such a major global gathering, calling it a reflection of the UAE's leadership vision, economic strength, and growing role as a global financial hub.
■ The bigger picture:
Discussions also focused on mobilizing more private capital to complement public funding and philanthropic efforts, key to transforming emerging markets.
From Bangkok's high standard to UAEi's bright future, the journey continues. Abu Dhabi, see you in 2029!
Source: PR Thai Government
