Key Takeaways
- Pakistan has been nominated to chair the World Bank Group and IMF Boards of Governors in 2027.
- Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, will lead the Boards for the first time since 1953.
- The appointment marks a significant milestone and provides Pakistan an opportunity to contribute to global economic discussions.
Pakistan has been nominated to chair the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Boards of Governors in 2027, marking the country’s first such appointment since 1953. The announcement was made during the Plenary Session of the 2026 WBG–IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Governor WBG for Pakistan, has been formally announced as the incoming Chair of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2027. The nomination underscores Pakistan’s growing influence in global economic and development deliberations.
The Boards of Governors of the WBG and the IMF are the highest decision-making bodies of these two major international financial institutions. They represent the member countries and determine the broad direction of the organisations. This appointment provides Pakistan with a platform to contribute to global economic and development discussions.
Following the plenary, Ahad Cheema received a briefing from the WBG Corporate Secretariat on the responsibilities of the chairmanship. He also met Aradhana Kumar-Capoor, Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the WBG, to discuss institutional support and coordination during Pakistan’s term.
The minister also met Carlos Carvallo Spalding, Governor of the Central Bank of Paraguay and the outgoing chair. Cheema congratulated Spalding on the successful completion of his tenure and commended his stewardship of the chairmanship. The two exchanged views on the responsibilities of the office and priorities for the year ahead, providing an opportunity to benefit from the outgoing chair’s experience and insights.
During the meetings, Cheema highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the voice of developing countries, promoting effective and predictable development financing, enhancing coordination among multilateral development institutions, and mobilising private capital to support sustainable and inclusive growth. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with the WBG, IMF, and member countries to foster constructive dialogue and contribute to a more responsive multilateral development and financial system.
The appointment of Ahad Khan Cheema as the Chair of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund is a significant milestone for Pakistan. It provides the country with an important opportunity to contribute to global economic and development deliberations and facilitate constructive dialogue among member countries at a critical juncture for the multilateral system.
