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Qatar News Agency reported that the State of Qatar took part in the meeting of Arab governors with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group currently under way in Bangkok. The gathering brought together finance ministers, central bank governors and heads of financial institutions from across the Arab world for discussions on shared economic priorities. The annual meetings, which run from October 12 to 18, 2026, in the Thai capital, provide the backdrop for a series of high-level engagements on global and regional financial matters.
Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari outlined several central themes for strengthened partnership during his address to the assembled governors and Banga. The minister focused on recovery and reconstruction efforts, the mobilization of private capital combined with measures to bolster regional connectivity, and sustained investment in human capital across the Arab region. His intervention highlighted Qatar’s perspective on advancing practical cooperation with the World Bank Group in these domains.
According to the Qatar News Agency, Al Kuwari stressed the value of closer coordination among the World Bank, Gulf donors and the Arab Coordination Group to advance reconstruction programs in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza. He pointed to the importance of integrating financing instruments, grants and guarantees more effectively to support affected areas. The minister’s remarks came as regional officials seek to align international and Arab funding mechanisms for greater development impact.
A statement issued on behalf of the Arab governors by Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan described the Arab region as standing at a defining juncture where its strategic location, natural resources and young population offer a foundation for faster growth and job creation. The document, presented at the annual meetings on October 16, 2026, called upon the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund to support country-led development programs with emphasis on macroeconomic stability, recovery, debt sustainability and inclusive growth. It also welcomed continued engagement on advancing sustainable water management initiatives ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The session with Banga formed part of Qatar’s wider participation in the Bangkok gatherings, which have included parallel meetings on regional economic issues. Earlier in the week Qatar also joined a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region that examined economic growth prospects, fiscal policies to address inflation, sustainable financing strategies and innovation in financial sector development. That discussion was chaired by International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Gulf Times reported.
Qatar was additionally represented at a G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors during the annual meetings where Al Kuwari spoke about the resilience shown by the global economy despite geopolitical tensions, trade pressures and technological shifts. The minister noted the importance of international cooperation to build resilience against future shocks while advancing productivity and private investment. These engagements underscore Qatar’s consistent involvement in multilateral forums addressing both immediate regional needs and longer-term global economic stability.
