UAE-IMF meeting: Mohammed bin Hadi Al‑Husseini holds strategic talks with IMF director Jihad Azour in Dubai
UAE-IMF meeting on May 19, 2026: Mohammed bin Hadi Al‑Husseini met IMF Middle East director Jihad Azour in Dubai to discuss economic resilience, policy coordination and sustainable growth.
The UAE-IMF meeting on May 19, 2026 brought together the nation’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Mohammed bin Hadi Al‑Husseini, and Dr. Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia department at the International Monetary Fund.
The discussion, held at the Ministry of Finance diwan in Dubai, focused on regional and global economic developments and on coordinating policies to preserve stability and boost competitiveness.
High-level meeting in Dubai
The meeting took place in the Ministry of Finance’s offices in Dubai and was attended by Assistant Undersecretary for International Financial Relations Ali Abdullah Sharfi.
Officials described the talks as part of an ongoing strategic dialogue that aims to deepen cooperation between the UAE and the IMF on macroeconomic policy and financial stability.
Agenda and key issues discussed
Both sides reviewed near‑term financial and economic developments, responding to rapid shifts in the global economy that require flexible and preemptive policymaking.
Topics included fiscal and monetary coordination, structural reforms to support long‑term growth, and measures to strengthen the UAE’s external resilience and business environment.
Policy priorities and UAE economic strategy
Mohammed bin Hadi Al‑Husseini reiterated that the UAE’s policy framework emphasizes financial stability, diversification and an attractive investment climate.
He said the country’s forward‑looking leadership continues to position the UAE as a resilient economic model that adapts to global change while pursuing sustainable development.
Role of international cooperation
The minister highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration with international financial institutions, placing the IMF at the forefront of that engagement.
Officials noted that exchanging technical expertise and global perspectives helps the UAE refine policy choices and reinforce macroeconomic buffers against external shocks.
Implications for competitiveness and growth
Delegates discussed using policy tools and reforms to enhance the UAE’s competitiveness, support private‑sector-led job creation, and preserve fiscal sustainability.
The IMF’s regional director provided assessments and comparative insights intended to help calibrate policies that steer the economy toward continued, inclusive growth.
The UAE-IMF meeting reaffirmed mutual interest in coordinating on issues such as fiscal policy flexibility, regulatory improvements, and crisis preparedness.
Both parties signaled readiness to pursue follow‑up consultations and technical collaboration to support policy design and implementation.
The dialogue also reflected broader efforts by Gulf economies to deepen institutional ties with multilateral partners amid an evolving global landscape.
Officials emphasized that strategic partnerships can unlock best practices, risk‑management tools, and policy options that strengthen long‑term stability.
The meeting concluded with commitments to maintain close contact and to explore concrete exchanges of expertise between UAE agencies and IMF teams.
Participants agreed on the value of periodic reviews to assess progress and to adapt responses as international and regional conditions change.
Looking ahead, UAE authorities said they will continue pursuing policy measures that balance short‑term responsiveness with long‑term competitiveness and sustainability.
The UAE-IMF meeting underscores the country’s emphasis on proactive policy coordination and international engagement as pillars of its economic strategy.