العربية Maktoum bin Mohammed: The Ninth Arab Fiscal Forum is a strategic platform to enhance financial and economic integration among Arab countries 10 February 2025 The Ministry of Finance is all set to participate in the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025, which will take place from February 11 to 13 in Dubai under the theme "Shaping Future Governments." The summit will bring together over 200 speakers, including heads of state, ministers, experts, and policymakers, along with 80 international, regional, and governmental organizations. More than 6,000 participants are expected to attend 110 interactive sessions focused on governance, innovation, and economic development. Highlighting the importance of the ministry’s participation in the summit, His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini stressed that the WGS has become a significant international hub for shaping the future of governance and promoting high-level dialogue on global economic challenges. His Excellency reaffirmed that the ministry is committed to advancing sustainable financial policies, accelerating economic growth, and strengthening global cooperation to address evolving economic and financial challenges. “The World Government Summit provides a unique setting for envisioning the future of government work and enhancing dialogue on global economic issues. With its transformative discussions, it will contribute to developing a sustainable and resilient communities,” Al Hussaini said. “Through our participation, the Ministry of Finance aims to showcase best financial practices and strengthen collaboration with international partners to achieve shared economic goals.” Arab Fiscal Forum On the pre-summit day, the Ministry of Finance will host the "9th Arab Fiscal Forum" on February 10th, in collaboration with the Arab Monetary Fund and the International Monetary Fund. The forum will be attended by Their Excellencies, finance ministers of Arab countries, central bank governors, H.E Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and H.E. Dr. Fahd bin Mohamed Al-Turki, Director-General and Chairperson of the Arab Monetary Fund’s Board of Directors, as well as other senior officials and specialists from regional and international institutions. Speaking on the Arab Fiscal Forum, His Excellency emphasized the forum will be a valuable addition to the World Government Summit 2025, aiming to explore avenues for strengthening public finance resilience amid global economic challenges. His Excellency affirmed that the forum will provide an ideal platform for addressing public debt management, sustainable development, and climate change, driving solutions that empower Arab economies and enhance their adaptability to evolving financial and economic landscapes. Titled “Fiscal Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty: Balancing Development Needs, Climate Action, and Debt Sustainability” the forum will feature four panel discussions, alongside the concluding session, a ministerial roundtable meeting. The first session, "Macroeconomic Developments and Implications for Fiscal Position" will explore current macroeconomic trends at the regional and international levels, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by an evolving geo-economic landscape. The second session, " Options for Fiscal Policy Design in the Face of Mounting Debt Pressures" will discuss the rising levels of debt, significant budget deficits, and growing interest payments that present mounting challenges for many nations. The third session, " Fiscal Policy and Climate Resilience " will focus on the economic impact of climate change in the region and the policies needed to enhance adaptation to this challenge. The fourth session, " Tectonic Shifts: Revamping Tax Systems for Large Structural Economic Changes" will address the development of tax systems in the Arab region, focusing on the strategies for generating revenue to meet growing expenditures. It will also explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tax systems. Multilateral Cooperation On the first day of the summit, the ministry will co-organize a session with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) titled “Reimagining the Future of Multilateral Cooperation and the Fund for the Future”” The session will look into how multilateral cooperation can remain effective amidst the evolving global landscape and rising geopolitical risks. It will discuss the roles of international financial institutions, donors, and countries in providing multilateral support, as well as explore ways to strengthen the global financial safety net. Enhancing Resilience Separately, the ministry and the GCC General Secretariat will hold a panel discussion on “Enhancing Resilience: Shaping the Future of the GCC Economy Amid Regional and Global Challenges.” The session will address national financial policies for managing global disruptions, highlight public-private partnerships, and underscore the importance of cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and shared economic strategies. It will also discuss “Vision 2031: Shaping the Economic Future of the UAE through Diversification and Innovation, along with broader GCC Vision strategies aimed at upgrading member states’ roles in the global economy. Second Day's Events On the second day of the summit, the Ministry of Finance will host a session titled " The Role of PPPs in Driving Innovation in Social Infrastructure" in collaboration with the Arab Monetary Fund. The session will explore how public-private partnerships can expedite the implementation of development strategies in key sectors such as healthcare and education. It will also highlight how the private sector's innovation can be harnessed to enhance the quality of essential services, ultimately benefiting community well-being. International Tax Forum In addition, the Ministry will organize the International Tax Forum on the second day of the summit, bringing together thought leaders, economic experts, government officials, and corporate representatives from around the globe. The forum will focus on the latest developments and critical reforms in the international tax landscape, addressing topics such as information exchange, electronic invoicing, and the second pillar of the tax base. World Government Summit The World Government Summit has become a key platform for envisioning the future of government operations globally. It aims to support future government agendas and harness technology and innovation to address current challenges. The summit also provides a venue for fostering global knowledge exchange among governments and promoting international dialogue on pressing issues in key sectors that shape future directions. Additionally, it seeks to develop policies, strategies, and plans to enhance governments' readiness and resilience as they navigate the next phase of development.
