Pakistan to chair IMF, World Bank Boards of Governors in 2027

Pakistan will chair the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund in 2027, returning to the position for the first time since 1953, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Friday.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who serves as Pakistan’s governor to the World Bank Group, was formally announced as the incoming chair during the plenary session of the 2026 World Bank Group-IMF annual meetings in Bangkok.

The ministry said Pakistan would use the role to promote dialogue among member countries, strengthen the voice of developing economies and contribute to a more responsive multilateral development and financial system.

What does Pakistan's 2027 chairmanship involve?

The chair presides over proceedings of the World Bank Group and IMF Boards of Governors at their annual meetings and helps facilitate dialogue among member countries. Pakistan says its 2027 term will focus on developing economies, development financing, institutional coordination and mobilizing private capital for sustainable growth.

The Boards of Governors are the institutions’ highest-level bodies representing their member countries, although much of their authority is delegated to their respective executive boards for day-to-day business.

Following the plenary, Cheema received a briefing from the World Bank Group Corporate Secretariat on the responsibilities of the chairmanship.

He also met World Bank Group Vice President and Corporate Secretary Aradhana Kumar-Capoor to discuss institutional support and coordination during Pakistan’s term.

Cheema separately met Carlos Carvallo Spalding, governor of the Central Bank of Paraguay and outgoing chair of the Boards of Governors, to discuss the responsibilities of the position and priorities for the year ahead.

Pakistan sets priorities for 2027 term

The Ministry of Economic Affairs said Pakistan would seek to strengthen the voice of developing countries and promote effective and predictable development financing.

Pakistan also plans to encourage stronger coordination among multilateral development institutions and mobilize private capital to support sustainable and inclusive growth.

The government said it would work with the World Bank Group, IMF and their member countries to foster constructive dialogue and contribute to a more responsive international development and financial system.

Pakistan last held the chairmanship in 1953, when Mohamad Ali of Pakistan chaired that year’s joint annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF.