DUBAI, 11th June May, 2026 (WAM) -- Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, met today with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Dubai to discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the UAE and the World Bank Group (WBG), as well as shared global priorities and opportunities for enhanced financial and development cooperation.

The meeting was attended by Younis Haji AlKhoori, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Assistant Under-Secretary for International Financial Relations at the Ministry of Finance; Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan; Ayat Soliman, Director of Strategy and Operations at the World Bank; Iva Haml, World Bank Group Resident Representative in the UAE; and a number of officials and specialists from both sides.

Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini highlighted the UAE's deep-rooted strategic partnership with the World Bank Group, describing it as an advanced model of international cooperation built on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the development of innovative solutions that support shared regional and global priorities.

He noted that the Ministry of Finance remains committed to broadening collaboration with the WBG to boost government efficiency, drive sustainable development, and unlock new opportunities for impactful partnerships in vital economic and development sectors.

Al Hussaini underscored that innovation, artificial intelligence, and knowledge exchange have become fundamental pillars of the joint development agenda, emphasising the importance of leveraging advanced technologies to accelerate sustainable growth, enhance productivity, and strengthen resilient systems capable of responding to global transformations.

He added that cooperation in financial inclusion, water, urban development, and zero bureaucracy reflects a shared commitment to developing practical and effective solutions to pressing global challenges.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed progress on the National Talent Development Programme at the World Bank Group, which was launched in April as part of the broader cooperation framework between the UAE and the World Bank Group.

They also discussed the significance of Abu Dhabi's selection to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a milestone that underscores the UAE's growing international standing and the international financial community's confidence in its organisational capabilities.

The discussions further explored opportunities to elevate the strategic partnership between the UAE and the WBG and broaden collaboration across areas of mutual interest.

The partnership between the UAE and the World Bank Group is underpinned by a growing framework of institutional and knowledge-based cooperation, including knowledge partnerships and co-financing initiatives. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovative development solutions, promoting the exchange of expertise, and supporting national and global priorities in sustainable development, innovation, and government efficiency, further reinforcing the UAE's role as an active partner in international development efforts.