Arab Finance Ministries Deputies Convene In Abu Dhabi For Eleventh Meeting

The UAE led the Eleventh Meeting of the Deputies of Arab Finance Ministries in Abu Dhabi on 21 and 22 January, where senior finance officials discussed fiscal reforms, artificial intelligence, sustainable finance and tax cooperation, aiming to support financial stability and sustainable growth across Arab economies.

The gathering, organised by the Arab Monetary Fund, brought together deputies from Arab ministries of finance and representatives of regional and international financial institutions. Fahad M. Alturki, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, attended the sessions. The UAE delegation included Younis Haji AlKhoori, Ali Abdullah Sharafi and several ministry specialists.

Ali Abdullah Sharafi underlined that the UAE supports joint Arab action and seeks deeper coordination between Arab ministries of finance. Sharafi said closer cooperation helps share expertise and encourages fiscal frameworks that react more effectively to global economic pressures. Sharafi also hoped the discussions would produce practical recommendations to strengthen Arab economies and advance broad-based development.

The second day’s programme opened with a fourth session examining "Countercyclical Fiscal Policies and Growth", followed by a fifth session that reviewed implementation of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting actions and progress on the Four Minimum Standards. Representatives from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shared updates, before a sixth session on fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability and regional country experiences.

During the fifth session, Sharafi explained the UAE’s work on international tax cooperation and transparency in line with OECD and G20 requirements. Sharafi outlined the legislative and regulatory steps adopted to implement the four minimum international tax standards, describing how these measures mirror global best practice and support the integrity and efficiency of the national tax framework.

Sharafi stressed that the meeting’s agenda items, including fiscal policy reform, artificial intelligence and sustainable finance, are strategic priorities at this stage. "The rapid transformations in the global economy require innovative tools for public financial management, greater spending efficiency and a clear focus on fiscal sustainability," he said. Sharafi added that the UAE remains committed to backing regional efforts for financial stability and sustainable growth.

UAE fiscal policy discussions with Arab Finance Ministries

Proceedings on the first day started with an opening session, where Fahad M. Alturki delivered a welcome address, followed by a keynote speech from Younis Haji AlKhoori as chair of the meeting. The initial working session examined "Revamping Fiscal Policy in the Face of Shocks and Uncertainties: Lessons Learnt in the Arab Region". The International Monetary Fund presented its analysis before interventions and an open debate among the deputies.

A second session addressed "Unlocking AI Opportunities in Fiscal Policy and Public Finance: Use Cases and Overcoming Challenges". The Arab Monetary Fund delivered a presentation on potential applications of artificial intelligence in public finance. Delegates from several Arab countries then shared national experiences and held an extended dialogue on using modern technologies to improve fiscal policy implementation and administrative efficiency.

The first day concluded with a third session titled "Sustainable financing for sustainable infrastructure". The World Bank presented global good practices on long-term infrastructure financing. Participants reviewed Arab countries’ experiences and held an open discussion on sustainable financing tools, including how different mechanisms can support development projects over the long term while maintaining fiscal stability and managing related risks.

Speaking during the third session, Sharafi stated that sustainable finance is central for supporting long-term development and strengthening economic resilience. Sharafi referred to World Bank estimates of the infrastructure financing gap in emerging economies and highlighted UAE public-private partnership models in renewable energy, water desalination, road and utilities management and healthcare delivery, alongside ongoing work to enhance sustainable finance frameworks and partnerships with international financial institutions.

The meeting, which serves as a consultative and preparatory forum, concluded with a session dedicated to preparations for the seventeenth meeting of the Council of Arab Finance Ministers, scheduled in Abu Dhabi in May. Participants agreed that continued coordination, including on tax transparency and information exchange, would help Arab countries address future challenges and support more resilient and inclusive regional growth.

With inputs from WAM