Dubai, UAE –– Oct. 2026 ––The United Arab Emirates formally signed an agreement to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Abu Dhabi, with the heads of both institutions praising the country’s infrastructure and readiness.
The signing ceremony took place at the exhibition centre in Bangkok, on the sidelines of this year’s Annual Meetings in Thailand.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the gathering was an opportunity to set a high standard for organising international financial meetings. She pointed to the UAE’s advanced infrastructure, strong economy and focus on climate, water and social issues, as well as its rapid adaptation to global developments.
Meetings held outside Washington always attract special interest, Georgieva said, expressing confidence that the UAE would deliver an exceptional hosting experience and build on the success of the current meetings in Thailand, which she said had raised expectations and standards for such events.
She cited a remark by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, on the importance of planning and working for future generations, saying the vision carries renewed relevance as the world changes quickly and young people must be prepared for a different future.
Georgieva said the UAE continues to modernise across all fields, including the economy. She closed her remarks in Arabic with the words: “We are coming, Abu Dhabi.”
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said he looked forward to returning to Abu Dhabi after 26 years to host the next Annual Meetings there. He praised the country’s hospitality and its standing as an important international financial and economic hub.
Banga said the UAE offers a supportive environment for dialogue on mobilising capital and strengthening its role in development, and has important strengths in sharing knowledge and expertise, which would support discussions and help produce effective decisions.
