The World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund have officially selected Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as the host city for the 2029 Annual Meetings, scheduled for October 2029. This decision was made following a vote by the Boards of Governors of both organizations. The last occasion the UAE hosted these meetings was in 2003, when they were held in Dubai.
The Annual Meetings serve as a platform for central bankers, finance and development ministers, private sector executives, and various stakeholders from civil society, media, and academia. Participants engage in discussions about critical global economic challenges, including financial stability, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Typically, these meetings occur at the World Bank and IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C., for two consecutive years, with every third year designated for a member country to host. The upcoming 2026 Annual Meetings are set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, where an official agreement will be signed to confirm the UAE’s role as the host for the 2029 Meetings.
Both the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund express their enthusiasm for Abu Dhabi’s role in hosting the 2029 Annual Meetings, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and dialogue that define the missions of these institutions.
In the coming week, the UAE and other member nations will be welcomed to Washington, D.C., for the Spring Meetings, where discussions will center around the global economy, job creation, and assistance for countries impacted by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
