Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Syria is undergoing a profound transformation following years of a devastating civil war. MCD’s “Governor Talk” for the 2025 ANMs will feature Yisr Barnieh, Minister of Finance of Syria, in a candid conversation on the challenges and opportunities in stabilizing and rebuilding Syria’s economy. The discussion will highlight the reform efforts led by the new economic management team, the supporting role of international partners, and the Fund’s role in providing technical and capacity development assistance and coordinating donors’ support in the areas of its mandate
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Financial markets have recovered from the recent shift in global patterns, but risks remain elevated due to high debt levels, asset overvaluation, and geopolitical uncertainties. Preserving financial stability is thus on the top of policymakers’ agendas around the world. The session will showcase that in many of the IMF’s emerging and developing member countries, including in low income and fragile states, the ability to address growing challenges to the safety and soundness of their financial systems is significantly constrained by low institutional and limited statistical capacity. Reinforcing financial sector resilience in such cases relies upon building capacity and strong partnerships, such as the Financial Sector Stability Fund, where countries’ drive for reforms meets the IMF’s expertise and the enabling support from donor partners.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
The Asia and Pacific Department Director, Mr. Krishna Srinivasan, will host a Q&A session with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, to discuss the emerging challenges in the areas of monetary policy and the financial sector faced by emerging markets (EMs) as well as policy options to address them.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
With aid levels falling and debt levels rising, low- and middle-income countries increasingly rely on domestic resources to finance the development agenda set in part by the Seville Commitment of June 2025. Capacity development is often critical for progress. The IMF’s innovative Revenue Mobilization Thematic Fund helped countries increase revenue collection until its conclusion in 2024, and now it’s time to reflect on how those successes have changed the future of capacity development. Join us to hear country leaders and our development partners explain why it thrived and show what insights shaped the next generation of partnership-powered capacity development—the Global Public Finance Partnership.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
A panel of experts and policymakers will discuss how conflict-affected economies in the Middle East and Central Asia can rebuild. Drawing on IMF analysis, this event will explore stabilization, reforms, and external support as drivers of strong recovery and lasting peace.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana will reflect on Ghana’s recent macroeconomic journey—marked by external shocks, fiscal vulnerabilities, and a challenging global environment. He will outline the structure of Ghana’s economy, and the outsized role external factors have played in shaping macroeconomic outcomes. The conversation will then turn to the critical importance of fiscal reforms and the lessons drawn from Ghana’s post-2019 experience, including the consequences of overreliance on international capital markets and the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) on economic activity and confidence. The Governor will trace how these dynamics culminated in a loss of market access, rising inflation, and dwindling reserves—ultimately leading to a new IMF-supported program in May 2023. Looking ahead, he will highlight the institutional and policy reforms now underway to restore macroeconomic stability, rebuild confidence, and lay the foundation for a private sector-led recovery. This session offers a timely and candid look at how Ghana is staying the course to anchor inflation, lower interest rates, and foster inclusive, resilient growth.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Rising global trade tensions could have ripple effects for countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), with the impacts varying based on each country’s trade ties and placement in global supply chains. The spillovers from these changes could grow if policy uncertainty and financial market volatility were to weigh on investor confidence and global growth. While the appropriate policy responses will differ across countries—depending on their domestic economic fundamentals, vulnerabilities, and policy space—stronger monetary and fiscal policy frameworks could help boost the ability of economies to withstand these shocks. Forthcoming chapters of the World Economic Outlook and Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia point to the beneficial effect of adopting inflation target monetary policy regimes with greater exchange rate flexibility and credible medium-term fiscal frameworks characterized by fiscal rules and strong and independent institutions.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Crypto assets, including stablecoins, are again at the forefront of policy discussions, while usage is evolving and growing. The underlying technology (distributed ledgers) could also experience increasing demand more broadly in the financial sector. In the long term, the availability of crypto assets issued under a comprehensive regulatory framework could provide benefits in terms of capital allocation and market efficiency if the share of tokenized financial products and services were to increase more broadly. At the same time, crypto assets may pose potential risks to macroeconomic and financial stability, consumer and investor protection, and financial and market integrity. In the U.S., Congress has passed the Genius Act, establishing regulations for stable coins, and additional legislative measures are being developed to create a comprehensive framework for overseeing crypto assets, while promoting financial innovation. This set of legislation may have material international implications due to the global role of the US dollar. Against this backdrop, the event will focus on recent developments and initiatives in the field of crypto assets, including stablecoins, and their impact on the international monetary system.
