AlUla Conference 2026: IMF Chief Underscores Emerging Economies as Engine of Growth
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, highlighted the vital role of emerging economies in driving global leadership.
Emerging Markets
Speaking at AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies in Saudi Arabia, Georgieva hailed the policies adopted by emerging markets, which led to good outcomes.
“Growth rates across emerging markets—at around 4% this year— exceed by a large margin those of advanced economies, at around 1½%. And their share of the global economy continues to go up doubling since 2000 to over 56%,” she noted.
Slow Growth
However, she warned that growth rates remain behind pre-pandemic levels. “This is doubly concerning as we will surely experience more shocks—but face them with depleted fiscal buffers, high spending pressures, and rising debt levels in many countries,” Georgieva said.
In light of this, the IMF chief pointed to two policy priorities. The first is to unleash private sector-led growth through streamlining regulation, strengthening governance, and preparing youth for the AI-driven jobs of the future.
#ACEME26 | Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, highlighted in her opening remarks that the 2nd edition of the conference has expanded with more preparatory work, research, and closed-door sessions. She said this is a testament to the fact that emerging markets… pic.twitter.com/oM4l7fwvRx
— AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (@AlUlaCEME) February 8, 2026
Meanwhile, the second policy priority is to accelerate integration. She said that navigating today’s shifting trade landscapes requires capitalizing on new opportunities for regional and cross-regional partnerships.
Georgieva noted that emerging markets are leading in this area, by lowering barriers and deepening integration, which can help preserve trade as an engine of growth.
AlUla Conference
In her remarks, Georgieva also said that Saudi Arabia and the IMF launched AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies “in recognition of the growing role of emerging market economies in a world of sweeping transformations in geopolitics, technology, and trade.”
Observing the higher attendance and improvements to this year’s edition, the IMF chief stated that the conference serves as proof that “emerging markets are a growing source and force of global leadership, and they need a dedicated space for dialogue.”
AlUla is hosting AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies 2026 on February 8-9, bringing together economic decision-makers, finance ministers, central banks governors, international financial institutions leaders, and distinguished experts from around the world.
Organized by the Saudi Finance Ministry in collaboration with the IMF, the conference aims to address the challenges and opportunities for emerging market economies, most notably in the fields of international trade, monetary and financial systems, and macroeconomic policy.
