The United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi specifically will host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2029, following a vote by the Boards of Governors of both institutions.
The decision marks the UAE’s return to the global stage as host of the flagship international finance gathering since the last time the country hosted the Annual Meetings which was in 2003, when Dubai welcomed the event.
The Annual Meetings serve as a high-level convergence of central bankers, finance and development ministers, private sector executives, and representatives from civil society, academia, and the media where they meet to discuss the most pressing issues confronting the global economy, including financial stability, job creation, and poverty eradication.
Under the established rotation system, the Annual Meetings are held for two consecutive years at the headquarters of the World Bank Group and the IMF in Washington, D.C., and every third year in a member country.
Prior to the UAE’s hosting of the 2029 Meetings, this year’s Annual Meetings will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, in October after which an official signing ceremony formalising Abu Dhabi’s hosting rights will take place.
The World Bank Group and the IMF said they look forward to Abu Dhabi hosting the 2029 Annual Meetings, describing the event as a reflection of “the spirit of international cooperation and dialogue” that underpins the work of both institutions.
Both institutions also noted that their upcoming Spring Meetings will be held in Washington, D.C., where discussions will address the global economy, job creation, and support for countries affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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