The meeting is held in line with the AMF’s strategic directions aimed at strengthening economic stability across Arab countries and reinforcing its role as a trusted policy advisor and strategic partner supporting the development of financial and monetary policies and enhancing institutions’ capacity to address emerging risks and challenges.

The meeting discusses a range of priority issues, including risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector and related mitigation tools; stress testing and the macroprudential framework for cybersecurity risks; capital flow management and macroprudential tools to address external shocks and global market volatility; as well as structural vulnerabilities and resilience in sukuk markets. The meeting also reviews preparations for the 2027 Financial Stability Report, along with the Task Force’s future directions and work plan.

The Arab Finance Ministers Council holds its 17th regular meeting on Monday, 28 September 2026, in Abu Dhabi, organized by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), in conjunction with AMF’s Golden Jubilee and the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

The meeting takes place under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Abdul Hakim Al-Shibli, Minister of Finance of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Chair of the current session of the Council, with the participation of Arab Ministers of Finance or their representatives. Representatives of the League of Arab States and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, as well as Arab Executive Directors at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, also participate as observers. AMF serves as the Secretariat of the Council since its establishment.

The AMF Composite Index declined by 0.19 percent during July 2026, with seven Arab stock exchanges recording gains and seven posting declines. The Egyptian Exchange led Arab markets, rising by 5.85 percent, followed by the Amman Stock Exchange at 3.64 percent, the Iraq Stock Exchange at 2.13 percent, the Damascus Securities Exchange at 1.82 percent, and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange at 1.13 percent.

The market capitalization of Arab capital markets increased by 0.06 percent to approximately USD 4.31 trillion at the end of July 2026, representing an increase of around USD 2.38 billion compared to the previous month. Market capitalization rose across nine Arab capital markets, while declining in six.

The bulletin showed that most Arab stock markets recorded improved performance during the quarter, with thirteen Arab exchanges posting gains, while only three recorded declines. The AMF Arab Composite Index registered a slight quarterly decline of 0.16% compared to the end of the first quarter of 2026, while recording year-on-year growth of 1.08%.

The Tunis Stock Exchange recorded the strongest performance among Arab markets, with its main index rising by 29.28%, followed by the Egyptian Exchange (11.40%), the Dubai Financial Market (9.59%), and the Damascus Securities Exchange (9.32%). Meanwhile, the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) and the Muscat Stock Exchange recorded the largest declines during the period, falling by 4.00% and 8.09%, respectively, while the Iraq Stock Exchange declined by 0.61%.

The programmes covered a range of priority topics, including macroeconomics, financial markets, digital financial services, green and sustainable finance, cybersecurity, compliance, risk management, tax policies, and economic and econometric analysis, contributing to the development of Arab expertise and supporting the region’s response to evolving economic and financial developments.

Several programmes were delivered in collaboration with regional and international institutions, including Buna – the Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the IMF Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (IMF-CEF), HEC Paris, and the Financial Stability Institute of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS-FSI), fostering knowledge exchange and the adoption of international best practices.