Amman, May 4 (Petra) -- Minister Finance Abdelhakim Shibli chaired the joint opening session of the annual meetings of Arab financial institutions on Monday, calling for comprehensive structural reforms to shield regional economies from global shocks.

The meetings, held via video conference, brought together heads of Arab financial bodies to coordinate policies on economic growth and investment. Speaking on behalf of the participating organizations, Shibli thanked the United Arab Emirates for hosting this year’s sessions. He emphasized the critical role these institutions play in bolstering Arab economies against the social and economic fallout of ongoing regional and global instability.

Shibli urged Arab governments to prioritize the diversification of economic growth, the improvement of investment climates, and the acceleration of digital transformation. He also highlighted the need for investment in human capital and proactive measures to address climate change challenges.

In a separate session, Shibli chaired the 50th meeting of the shareholders' council of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID). Marking the authority’s Golden Jubilee, Shibli praised its contributions to agricultural investment and food security. However, he cautioned that the organization must modernize its tools and increase institutional flexibility to address a widening global food gap and disrupted supply chains.

The annual meetings serve as a key platform for Arab finance ministers and central bank governors to align strategies on sustainable development and financial stability across the Middle East and North Africa.

//Petra// AF