Pakistan will take over the chairmanship of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2027, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Friday. It is the first time the country has held the post since 1953, a gap of 74 years.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who also serves as Pakistan’s Governor to the WBG, was formally named as the incoming chair for 2027. The announcement came during the plenary session of the 2026 WBG–IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok, a move the source describes as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s role in international economic and development affairs.
Cheema’s briefings and talks in Bangkok
After the plenary, Cheema received a briefing from the WBG Corporate Secretariat on the responsibilities that come with the chairmanship. He also met Aradhana Kumar-Capoor, the bank group’s vice president and corporate secretary, to discuss institutional support and coordination during Pakistan’s term.
Cheema also met Carlos Carvallo Spalding, governor of Paraguay’s central bank and the outgoing chair. He congratulated Spalding on completing his tenure and praised his leadership. The two compared views on the duties of the office and the priorities for the year ahead, giving Pakistan the benefit of his experience.
Pakistan’s priorities for developing countries
During the meetings, Cheema restated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the voice of developing nations. He cited goals including development financing that is effective and predictable, better coordination among multilateral development institutions, and mobilising private capital for sustainable and inclusive growth.
He also pledged to work closely with the WBG, the IMF and member countries to foster constructive dialogue and build a development and financial system that responds more effectively to needs.
Country Partnership Framework talks with World Bank
Cheema met Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s managing director of operations, on the sidelines of the Bangkok meetings. The two discussed putting Pakistan’s Country Partnership Framework for 2026–2035 into effect. He stressed the government’s commitment to turning the framework’s objectives into concrete development results.
