Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met the United Nations ESCAP executive secretary in Bangkok on October 12. Their talks focused on economic reforms, development priorities and opportunities for cooperation. The meeting took place during the 2026 annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.
Aurangzeb stressed the need to maintain progress towards economic stability. He said Pakistan needed structural reforms and export-led growth to support sustainable development. The discussions also addressed ways to turn economic priorities into practical measures.
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The finance minister identified climate change and rapid population growth as major challenges for Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the economy while addressing these long-term pressures. Both sides discussed areas where international cooperation could support the country’s development goals.
They also examined technical support for disaster preparedness and early warning systems. The discussions covered cooperation on practical climate-related projects in Pakistan. Such assistance could help address the country’s needs in managing climate risks.
Finance Minister Discusses Economic Priorities, Climate Resilience and Technical Cooperation with ESCAP Executive Secretary
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. They discussed Pakistan’s economic priorities and opportunities for cooperation.
The Finance Minister outlined progress in macroeconomic stabilization and emphasized the importance of preserving these gains through structural reforms and sustainable, export-led growth. He identified climate change and rapid population growth as major challenges, seeking technical support for disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and the development of bankable climate projects.
Discussions also covered digital skills and employment, sustainable finance, the energy transition and potential technical assistance for the State Bank of Pakistan.
The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of practical cooperation that translates policy analysis into actionable measures and measurable results.
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) October 12, 2026
Digital skills and employment opportunities also featured in the meeting. Aurangzeb and the ESCAP chief discussed ways to promote skills development and expand job opportunities. They also considered cooperation in sustainable finance and the transition towards cleaner energy.
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Another topic involved possible technical assistance for the State Bank of Pakistan. The discussions explored how cooperation could support financial institutions and broader economic priorities. However, the provided report did not specify any final agreements or commitments arising from the meeting.
Aurangzeb emphasised that policy analysis should lead to practical action and measurable results. The talks highlighted several areas for potential cooperation, including economic reforms, climate preparedness and digital skills. The meeting formed part of Pakistan’s engagement with international institutions during the annual financial meetings.