Ali Alhosani has been elected executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming the first Emirati to hold the position.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, said the appointment reflected the UAE leadership’s vision to strengthen the country’s role in the global economy and international financial decision-making.
Sheikh Maktoum said the appointment highlighted international confidence in Emirati expertise and the UAE’s growing contribution to global economic growth and financial stability.
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The UAE represents the Arab Group and the Maldives on the IMF Executive Board, where Alhosani will work to advance their economic and financial interests.
“This step sends a clear message about the strength of the UAE’s economic model and its ability to share its successful experience in financial development in ways that serve the economic interests of brotherly and friendly peoples across the region,” Sheikh Maktoum said.
UAE’s role in global financial decision-making
Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said Alhosani’s election reflected the UAE leadership’s ambition to strengthen the country’s presence in international financial institutions.
He said the appointment also reaffirmed the UAE’s role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and the stability of the international financial system.
Al Hussaini said Alhosani’s election demonstrated growing international confidence in Emirati talent and its ability to lead financial discussions and address complex economic challenges.
He added that the UAE would continue to work with other countries represented in the group and all IMF members to promote cooperation and support economic policies that strengthen stability and meet development needs across the region.
Alhosani outlines priorities in new role
Alhosani thanked the UAE leadership for its confidence in him to represent the country and the Arab Group at the IMF.
He said the UAE’s selection to lead the group reflected member countries’ confidence in its judgement and its ability to support their development priorities and economic and financial reform programmes.
The IMF Executive Board plays a key role in the institution’s decisions. With a lending capacity of nearly $1 trillion, the Fund is a major source of international financial support, Alhosani said.
He said his priorities would include strengthening the IMF’s role in financing, economic assessments and capacity building, particularly for countries facing crises or exceptional economic circumstances.
Alhosani also said he hoped to build partnerships with representatives of other countries and groups, exchange expertise and share the UAE’s experience in developing an integrated financial and monetary system.
His appointment comes as the UAE prepares to host the 2029 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF, a move he said reflected the country’s long-term ambition to strengthen its global standing.
Alhosani’s global experience
IMF executive directors provide strategic guidance to the Fund’s management and discuss and approve matters relating to member countries, including financing programmes. The Executive Board comprises 25 directors elected by individual member countries or groups of countries.
Alhosani brings experience in economic and financial policy across several domestic and international institutions.
He previously served as an alternate executive director at the IMF, a role he took up in 2021. He also worked as an adviser to the executive director at the World Bank Group and as a portfolio manager at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC.
Earlier in his career, he worked at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court as a member of the Strategic Affairs Office and at the Abu Dhabi Investment Council.
Alhosani holds a master’s degree in international commerce and policy from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from American University, both in the United States. He has also completed an executive leadership programme at Harvard.
