Dubai: Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, met with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Dubai. The meeting aimed to explore opportunities to enhance the strategic partnership between the UAE and the World Bank Group, focusing on financial and development cooperation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting was attended by prominent officials, including Younis Haji AlKhoori, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, among others. Al Hussaini emphasized the UAE's strategic partnership with the World Bank Group, highlighting it as a model of international cooperation centered on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and innovative solutions to support regional and global priorities.
He reiterated the Ministry of Finance's dedication to expanding collaboration with the World Bank Group to enhance government efficiency, drive sustainable development, and create impactful partnerships in key economic and development sectors. Al Hussaini pointed out the importance of innovation, artificial intelligence, and knowledge exchange as essential components of the joint development agenda, aiming to leverage advanced technologies for sustainable growth and productivity.
Furthermore, the cooperation extends to financial inclusion, water, urban development, and zero bureaucracy, reflecting a shared commitment to crafting practical solutions for global challenges. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the National Talent Development Programme at the World Bank Group, launched in April as part of the UAE-World Bank Group cooperation framework.
The discussions highlighted Abu Dhabi's selection to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a testament to the UAE's rising international stature and the financial community's trust in its organizational capabilities. The partnership aims to elevate strategic cooperation and broaden collaboration across areas of mutual interest.
The UAE-World Bank Group partnership is rooted in institutional and knowledge-based cooperation, with a focus on knowledge partnerships and co-financing initiatives. This collaboration underscores a shared dedication to advancing innovative development solutions, exchanging expertise, and supporting sustainable development, innovation, and government efficiency priorities, thus reinforcing the UAE's active role in international development efforts.