Bangkok, Thailand, 14 October 2026 – The Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, has called for a balanced approach to strengthen economic resilience while promoting sustainable, long-term growth across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region.

Dr. Al Jasser made these remarks at a high-level regional event on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Bangkok. He was addressing the IMF Managing Director’s meeting with finance ministers, central bank governors, and leaders of regional financial institutions from MENAP.

He highlighted the need to tackle immediate economic challenges while continuing to invest in long-term development priorities. He also stressed the importance of maintaining macroeconomic stability, rebuilding fiscal and external buffers, and enhancing countries’ capacity to withstand future shocks.

Dr. Al Jasser emphasised that managing short-term challenges must be complemented by addressing structural obstacles that still restrict productivity, economic diversification, and sustainable growth across the region. He noted that, for IsDB, strengthening resilience has always been central to a balanced development approach—one that combines responding to current pressures with sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital, productive capacity, and economic diversification.

Highlighting the growing importance of mobilising private capital to meet the region’s development needs, he observed that public and concessional resources alone cannot finance the required scale of investment. He reaffirmed the IsDB Group’s longstanding commitment to the MENAP region, noting that since its inception, the Group has directed nearly US$100 billion—45 per cent of its cumulative approvals—towards supporting energy systems, infrastructure, industry, and agriculture across its member countries.

In conclusion, the IsDB Group Chairman emphasised that addressing the region’s challenges will require sound policies, sustained reforms, and robust international cooperation. He said these efforts are essential to help countries navigate current pressures while laying the groundwork for more diversified, resilient, and inclusive growth.