Maktoum bin Mohammed: The Tenth Public Finance Forum in the Arab Countries is a strategic platform for re-evaluating financial policies and enhancing the resilience of Arab economies
DUBAI, 2nd February, 2018 (WAM) – His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, stressed that holding the Tenth Public Finance Forum in the Arab Countries constitutes a qualitative milestone in the path of joint Arab financial action, and a strategic platform for re-evaluating financial policies in light of the rapid global economic transformations, and examining ways to enhance the flexibility of Arab economies and their ability to face challenges and build a more sustainable future.
His Highness said: The challenges facing Arab countries, whether related to global economic fluctuations, changing growth patterns, or development financing requirements, require an in-depth and institutional financial dialogue, based on exchanging experiences, developing frameworks and policies, and enhancing the efficiency of financial institutions. The forum reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting this dialogue, and enabling finance ministers and decision makers to formulate common visions that enhance financial stability, support comprehensive growth, and establish the foundations of sustainable development in the region.
On the preliminary day of the World Government Summit 2026, which is being held from February 3 to 5 in Dubai, the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Arab Monetary Fund and the International Monetary Fund, organized the work of the Tenth Public Finance Forum in the Arab Countries, under the title “A Decade of Financial Dialogue: Building Macroeconomic Resilience by Strengthening Financial Policies and Institutions,” in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, His Excellency Kristalina Georgieva, Director General of the International Monetary Fund, and His Excellency Dr. Fahd. Bin Mohammed Al Turki, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Monetary Fund, with the broad participation of finance ministers and central bank governors in Arab countries, in addition to an elite group of experts, senior officials, representatives of regional and international financial institutions, and economic experts from the region and the world.
The forum aims to discuss regional and global economic developments, review the experience of a full decade of Arab financial dialogue, and discuss priorities for the next stage, especially in the areas of public finance reform, development financing, enhancing spending efficiency, digital transformation, and employing advanced technologies in policy management and financial institutions.
His Excellency Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, stressed in his opening speech that the Tenth Public Finance Forum in the Arab Countries comes at a very important time, as Arab economies face a global environment characterized by increasing uncertainty and overlapping economic and financial challenges, which calls for more flexible and proactive financial policies and institutional frameworks capable of adaptation and effective response.
His Excellency explained that building macroeconomic resilience is not achieved through short-term measures, but rather through gradual structural reforms, improving the quality of financial policies, enhancing the efficiency of public spending, developing debt management tools, and expanding the revenue base, in a way that supports financial sustainability and enhances confidence in national economies.
His Excellency added that digital transformation in public finance, including digital government technologies and artificial intelligence, represents a strategic opportunity to improve governance, raise the efficiency of revenue and spending management, and enhance transparency and accountability, stressing the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise between Arab countries, and enhancing cooperation with international financial institutions to support reform paths and financing development.
In turn, Her Excellency Kristalina Georgieva, Director General of the International Monetary Fund, said: The role of the Arab Public Finance Forum is gaining increasing importance in light of the global transformations in geopolitics, trade policies, technology and demographics, and the accompanying uncertainty, noting that the global economy and the Arab region have shown a degree of resilience despite the continuing risks.
She stressed the need for strong financial policies and renewed momentum for reforms to enhance the ability to confront shocks and support private sector growth, stressing the importance of sustainable international support to finance recovery and reconstruction, and noted the International Monetary Fund’s readiness to support the region through integrated policy advice, financing, and capacity building.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Fahd bin Mohammed Al Turki, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Monetary Fund, said: This forum represents an opportunity to evaluate the outcome of a decade of dialogue in financial policies, and to review the role of the Arab Monetary Fund through its new strategy within the phase of transformation and change, as the Fund is an essential pillar for a strong Arab region, and a pioneer in promoting economic stability and sustainable growth through its effective contribution to the financial safety net, its support for economic stability, the provision of advice and capacity building, and the provision of valuable services. The Fund also enhances its role as a partner. Intellectual and strategic, it supports reform paths and comprehensive and sustainable growth in Arab countries.
The forum witnessed four dialogue sessions, the first, entitled “Prospects for the Arab World in Light of Shocks and Uncertainty,” addressed regional and global economic developments, and the impact of trade and financial tensions on Arab countries, where participants discussed macroeconomic challenges and ways to enhance resilience in the face of crises.
The second session focused on “the priorities of the Arab world in the coming years,” as it reviewed the outcome of the Arab Public Finance Forum over the past decade, and the Arab finance ministers discussed ways to develop the forum’s agenda in the next stage.
As for the third session, it was entitled “Restructuring spending policies and enhancing financing for development,” and discussed strategies for enhancing the efficiency of public spending and their effects on economic growth, and promoting development investment, especially in countries facing fragile situations, in addition to examining opportunities for partnership between the public and private sectors. The forum concluded with the fourth session, entitled “Digital Transformation in Public Finance and the Prospects of Artificial Intelligence.”
The organization of the Tenth Public Finance Forum in the Arab Countries confirms the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to supporting regional financial dialogue, enhancing Arab and international cooperation, and contributing to the development of more flexible and sustainable Arab financial policies capable of facing challenges and achieving comprehensive economic development.
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