By Laila Humairah
Published on
The 10th annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing concludes with China and member states reflecting on a decade of robust development projects, while reaffirming their commitment to funding critical infrastructure initiatives, to build a dynamic, diverse and sustainable future.
Since its launch in 2016, the AIIB has financed 320 projects in 38 countries, valued at $60 billion. Under outgoing president Jin Liqun, the Bank has 110 member countries, with several more in the process of joining.
Qatar, a founding member of the AIIB, will host the 11th edition of the annual meeting in 2026.
Speaking to Euronews in Beijing, the Qatari Finance Minister HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari called the decision a “great honour.”
“We are very pleased that Qatar will be hosting the meetings in 2026 in September. This is a great honour for Qatar, and it’s not unusual for Qatar. Given our situation, we’ve been hosting big events from sports to politics to economy and Qatar is the home of many big events,” he said.
His Excellency Al Kuwari added that the Gulf state remains a key partner in boosting the bank’s goals, through increased investments and deeper collaborations in infrastructure, technology and research.
Meanwhile, in his final speech as president of AIIB, Jin expressed confidence that his successor, Zou Jiayi, the former vice finance minister of China, will usher in a new chapter for AIIB, solidifying the Bank’s status as a global force for development and economic growth.
“We are now entering the second decade, and I think the experience we have accumulated will continue to play its role,” Jin said.
When asked about Qatar’s partnership with AIIB, His Excellency Al Kuwari reiterated the country’s dedication to collaborating with multinational organisations through Qatari firms like Qatar Foundation.
“We are very active through the multi-national, multilateral organisations. With the World Bank, we are doing the debt swap initiative for education purposes with our Qatar Foundation, Education Above All programmes,” he said.
As the AIIB welcomes a new chapter in its efforts to build a more inclusive and sustainable future, Qatar continues to be a strategic ally as a global force in development and economic growth.
