Mohamed Shareef, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Bank of Maldives, has been appointed Chairman of the Asian Bankers Association, becoming the first Maldivian to lead one of Asia’s foremost regional banking organisations.
The appointment was approved by the ABA Board in accordance with the Association’s Charter and took effect on 31 July 2026. His elevation to the chairmanship represents a significant achievement for Bank of Maldives and strengthens the Maldives’ presence within Asia’s regional financial leadership.
Shareef brings extensive banking and institutional leadership experience to the position. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the Asian Bankers Association from 2018 to 2020, contributing to the advancement of the Association’s strategic priorities and supporting closer cooperation among its member banks across Asia. He was reappointed Vice Chairman in 2025, reflecting the continued confidence of member institutions in his leadership, professional expertise and commitment to regional banking development.
Expressing appreciation for the appointment, Shareef said he was deeply honoured by the confidence and trust placed in him by the ABA Board and its member banks.
“It is a privilege to serve the Association in this capacity, and I look forward to working closely with the Board, Secretariat, and member institutions to further strengthen regional collaboration and support the continued development of Asia’s banking industry,” Shareef said.
ABA Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Darson Chiu congratulated Shareef on assuming the leadership of the Association and expressed appreciation for his longstanding commitment to its mission. He also assured Shareef of the Secretariat’s full support in advancing the ABA’s objectives of promoting the growth and development of member banks and strengthening the broader banking industry across the region.
Established in 1981, the Asian Bankers Association is one of Asia’s leading regional banking organisations, representing banks and banking associations from across the continent. The Association provides an important platform for banking executives, policymakers, regulators and international financial institutions to engage in policy dialogue, strengthen professional capacity and exchange industry knowledge and best practices.
Shareef’s appointment further demonstrates the increasing international recognition of Maldivian professionals and the country’s expanding contribution to regional financial dialogue. It also reflects the progress of the Maldives’ banking sector and the growing confidence placed in the leadership and expertise emerging from the country’s financial institutions.
The achievement contributes positively to the Maldives’ international profile and complements the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s economic standing, institutional capacity and engagement with regional and global partners. Greater representation within influential regional organisations is expected to create further opportunities for knowledge exchange, institutional cooperation and the adoption of internationally recognised banking practices.
Bank of Maldives will also host the 2026 Asian Bankers Association Conference from 1 to 3 September 2026. The conference will bring banking leaders and senior financial-sector representatives from across Asia to the Maldives for discussions on emerging industry developments, regional cooperation and the future direction of banking.
Hosting the conference will provide the Maldives with an important opportunity to showcase its growing financial sector, professional capabilities and suitability as a destination for high-level international business events. It will also enable visiting delegates to experience the country’s renowned hospitality, natural beauty and high-quality tourism infrastructure while strengthening professional and institutional relationships across the Asian banking community.
Shareef’s chairmanship, together with the Maldives’ hosting of the 2026 ABA Conference, is expected to further enhance the country’s role in regional banking cooperation and reinforce its position as an increasingly active participant in Asia’s financial and economic development.
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