MENA Newswire, ABU DHABI: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as the two sides discussed areas of cooperation and current global economic developments.
The meeting took place during Georgieva’s visit to the United Arab Emirates ahead of her participation in the World Governments Summit 2026, which is scheduled to run from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5 in Dubai. The summit brings together government leaders, international organizations and private sector representatives for discussions on governance and global challenges.
During the talks, Sheikh Mohamed and Georgieva reviewed relations between the UAE and the IMF and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration, according to official accounts of the meeting. The discussions included topics linked to sustainable development and global economic growth, as well as broader issues affecting the international economy.
Officials said the two sides also exchanged views on the importance of international cooperation in addressing economic challenges, including efforts aimed at supporting stability and promoting resilience. The UAE has increasingly hosted multilateral policy discussions and major international gatherings in recent years, positioning the country as a venue for high-level economic engagement.
Global economic context and IMF engagement
Georgieva’s visit coincided with a series of economic meetings in the UAE linked to the summit period. On Monday, she delivered remarks in Dubai at the Annual Arab Fiscal Forum, where she addressed inflation and global trade conditions. In that speech, she said global inflation is expected to ease in 2026 and 2027, and urged greater trade integration as countries navigate shifting geopolitical and policy conditions.
The World Governments Summit agenda includes sessions focused on economic transformation, fiscal policy, technology and public sector modernization. The summit’s official program lists Georgieva among scheduled speakers, alongside other leaders from international institutions and government, reinforcing the IMF’s role in policy discussions on growth, stability and development.
UAE officials attend meeting in Abu Dhabi
The meeting at Qasr Al Shati was attended by senior UAE officials, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with several sheikhs, ministers and senior officials. Official accounts of the meeting listed attendees as part of the UAE’s regular protocol for receiving visiting leaders of international organizations.
The UAE and the IMF maintain a longstanding working relationship through policy dialogue and technical engagement, and the country participates in IMF meetings and consultations as part of the global membership of the fund. Monday’s talks underscored the UAE’s continued engagement with international financial institutions as global policymakers focus on inflation trends, growth prospects and the resilience of trade and investment flows.