Saudi, IMF, and World Bank Chiefs Reaffirm Commitment to Syria’s Economic Recovery

Wasington DC – In the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), a high-level roundtable on Syria was co-hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Mohammed AlJadaan, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga in Washington, DC.

The session was aimed at addressing the country’s ongoing economic challenges and aligning global support for Syria’s recovery.

In a joint statement issued after the event, AlJadaan said, “On the sidelines of the 2025 WBG/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, we co-hosted a high-level roundtable for Syria, bringing together the Syrian authorities, finance ministers and key stakeholders from multilateral and regional financial institutions, as well as economic and development partners.”

The event followed up on earlier international engagements, including the Paris Conference on Syria (February 13), the Al Ula roundtable (February 16), and the Brussels IX conference (March 17). Discussions focused on Syria’s current stabilization efforts, poverty reduction initiatives, and long-term development goals. Attention was also given to institutional rebuilding, strengthening governance, and promoting transparency.

“This event provided a platform for the Syrian authorities to present their ongoing efforts to stabilize and rebuild their country, reduce poverty, and achieve long-term economic development.” Georgieva stated. “We also support the Syrian authorities’ efforts to strengthen governance and increase transparency as they build effective institutions that deliver for the people of Syria.”

WBG President Banga noted the urgency of Syria’s economic situation and highlighted the collective resolve of participants. He stressed about the priority areas identified during the roundtable included meeting the critical needs of the Syrian population, enhancing institutional capacity, implementing policy reforms, and formulating a national economic recovery strategy.

He also added that both the IMF and WBG had been called upon to play a key role in this process, in accordance with their mandates and in collaboration with other multilateral and bilateral partners. AlJadaan also welcomed the growing efforts to reintegrate Syria with the global community.

The joint hosts welcomed progress toward Syria’s reintegration into the international community and emphasized the importance of unlocking resources to support economic policy efforts, early recovery, reconstruction, and private sector development. Job creation and sustainable growth were also highlighted as essential components of the recovery framework.

A follow-up roundtable is expected to take place during the IMF and WBG Annual Meetings in October 2025 to review progress and align future efforts toward Syria’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.