Washington: Minister of Finance Taif Sami Mohammed, alongside the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and an accompanying delegation, actively participated in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund held in Washington from October 13 to 18, 2025. These meetings centered around global economic challenges, economic development, financial stability, and other related issues, featuring plenary sessions, seminars, and side consultations.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Minister Sami commenced her engagements with a meeting with the Executive Director of the World Bank, Abdul Aziz Al-Mulla. Their discussions were focused on Iraq’s economic situation and the World Bank’s role in supporting Iraq’s reform programs, particularly in maximizing revenues, reducing expenditures, and advancing digitization and electronic systems. They also explored new projects with the World Bank in areas such as infrastructure, energy, environment, water, and human capital.
In another significant meeting, Minister Sami engaged with Ms. Ricardo, Vice President for Private Sector Affairs, to discuss the International Finance Corporation’s projects in Iraq. The conversation highlighted the most significant investment obstacles and strategies to address them, focusing on projects in the private transport sector, including the rehabilitation of Baghdad International Airport and support for the associated gas processing project in Basra. Additionally, the delegation led by Ms. Al-Awadhi held talks with the World Bank’s Vice President for the Middle East, Othman Dawani, to review the portfolio of World Bank-funded projects in Iraq, notably the railway project. The meeting aimed to monitor project implementation, identify obstacles, and propose solutions to ensure timely completion.
Minister Sami also participated in a meeting of the Arab Governors of the World Bank, chaired by World Bank President Ajay Banga. The gathering evaluated the economic situation in Arab countries, addressing the challenges and requirements for accelerating structural reforms and capacity building. Discussions also covered international support for fragile and conflict-affected countries, specifically the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.
Furthermore, the Minister and the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq attended a ministerial meeting led by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Gurevich. This meeting involved finance ministers and governors from IMF countries, focusing on global economic conditions and strategies to enhance resilience and maintain macroeconomic stability. Her Excellency also presented ‘Iraq Vision 2050,’ which outlines goals to reduce dependence on oil, empower the private sector, and promote inclusive growth, alongside reforms in the tax and customs sectors to diversify revenue.
Kristalina Gurevich emphasized the Fund’s commitment to humanitarian support for fragile and conflict-affected regions and stressed the importance of implementing medium-term reforms for financial sustainability and overall stability. The discussions underscored the need for countries to build economic buffers and diversify economies to strengthen GDP growth and ensure financial stability.