Finance Minister Yassine Jaber took part in the opening session of the 2026 joint annual meetings of the Arab financial institutions, which were held virtually after the in-person meetings scheduled in Abu Dhabi were canceled.
Lebanon is represented in the joint sessions by Director General of Finance George Maaraoui, with the Lebanese interventions focused on presenting the exceptional reality the country is going through, amid the overlap of the financial crisis with the repercussions of the war and Israeli attacks, and the direct impact they have left on the economy, public finances, and the state’s ability to meet its basic needs.
During the meetings, the Lebanese side is reaffirming its commitment to the path of financial and administrative reform by working to rebuild the foundations of public finances through structural reforms that include boosting revenues, improving tax compliance, modernizing tax administration, developing digital systems, as well as improving cash and public debt management and strengthening transparency and accountability.
In a related context, Minister Jaber received Lebanese University President Bassam Badran, with discussions focusing on the university’s conditions and the challenges it faces.
Jaber also held a meeting with World Bank office head Enrico Armas. During the meeting, they continued the discussions launched in Washington on the sidelines of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, particularly regarding the redirection of some existing loans toward urgent priorities, with the aim of strengthening Lebanon’s ability to confront the damage resulting from the war and displacement.
