A delegation from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has participated in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) in Bangkok, Thailand, strengthening the Maldives’ engagement with leading international financial institutions and contributing to discussions on economic resilience, financial stability and the future of the global financial system.
The week-long meetings, held from 12 to 18 October 2026, brought together central bankers, finance officials, policymakers and representatives of international financial institutions from across the world. The Maldivian delegation was led by MMA Deputy Governor Aishath Asna Hamdi and included Senior Executive Director for Banking and Market Operations Aishath Nadhiya, Economic Surveillance and Forecasting Economist Dhaha Shuaib, Banks Offsite Supervision Manager Fasahath Sabig, and Governor’s Office Assistant Manager Moohath Mohamed Rasheed.
Alongside the Annual Meetings, the MMA delegation participated in the Regional Research Roundtable of Central Banks organised by the Asia Pacific Applied Economics Association (APAEA) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Addressing the roundtable, Asna highlighted the importance of timely and policy-relevant economic research for small and highly open economies such as the Maldives, particularly as they navigate changes in the global economy and increasing exposure to external shocks.
She identified external sector vulnerabilities, fiscal and monetary policy interactions, climate-related economic risks and financial digitalisation as important areas where stronger research can contribute to more informed policymaking. She also called for deeper cooperation among central banks and domestic institutions to address shared economic challenges and strengthen the quality of evidence available to policymakers.
The discussions also reflected the MMA’s growing emphasis on research collaboration and evidence-based policymaking. The central bank is continuing its partnership with APAEA and is scheduled to host the MMA Research Conference and an MMA-APAEA joint workshop in December 2026. The conference will focus on macroeconomic and financial stability, sustainable development and the structural and global transitions affecting the Maldivian economy.
The MMA delegation also participated in the 18th Annual G-24/Alliance for Financial Inclusion Policymakers’ Roundtable held during the Annual Meetings. During discussions on the evolving role of crypto assets and their implications for financial inclusion, Asna emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced approach that supports access to financial services while protecting financial integrity and monetary and financial stability.
She noted that financial inclusion initiatives should be proportionate to stability requirements and supported by effective regulatory frameworks. The roundtable brought together policymakers from the G-24 and Alliance for Financial Inclusion, together with global standard-setting bodies and international financial institutions, providing an important platform for exchanging policy perspectives on emerging financial technologies and inclusive finance.
Throughout the meetings, the Maldivian delegation also held bilateral discussions with representatives of the IMF, World Bank Group, regional partners and other international financial institutions. The engagements focused on current economic developments, institutional cooperation, technical assistance and capacity-building opportunities aimed at strengthening the MMA’s operational and policy frameworks.
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