Riyadh: The second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies 2026 will begin tomorrow in AlUla Governorate, hosted through a partnership between the Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with high-level participation from economic decision-makers, finance ministers, central bank governors, leaders of international financial institutions, and a distinguished group of experts and specialists from around the world.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the launch of the conference comes at a time of profound shifts in international trade and financial systems, alongside mounting challenges stemming from slower growth, heightened uncertainty, and rising pressures on emerging market economies. This underscores the need to strengthen international dialogue, enhance policy coordination, and bolster the resilience of these economies in support of global economic stability.
The conference aims to help shape the economic policy agenda for emerging market economies in ways that support growth and prosperity while reinforcing global economic stability. This will be achieved by providing a high-level international platform for exchanging views, policy discussions, and relevant experiences and expertise.
This year's conference is held under the theme 'Policies Amid a Reset of the International Trade and Financial Systems,' highlighting the rapid transformations underway in the global economy and the challenges and opportunities they present for emerging market economies, particularly in the areas of international trade, monetary and financial systems, and macroeconomic policy.
The program focuses on several priority issues and policy areas, including the reshaping of global trade amid geopolitical and economic shifts, the dynamics of the international monetary and financial system, and the challenges for monetary policy amid uncertainty and structural change.
In addition, the conference will address fiscal policy resilience and frameworks in a shock-prone world, the role of public policies in enhancing economic resilience, and ways to stimulate private sector-led growth, boost productivity, and achieve an appropriate balance between the role of the state and the empowerment of the private sector in emerging market economies.
The conference will conclude with discussions centered on strengthening the resilience of emerging market economies and economic transformation, reviewing key lessons learned, and outlining future steps to support international cooperation, policy coordination, and the development of practical solutions to address global economic challenges.
The AlUla conference is expected to raise global awareness of emerging market economies' challenges, highlight their pivotal role in the global economy, and strengthen their visibility on the international economic and media agenda, supporting the achievement of more inclusive and sustainable economic growth over the long term.