This visit comes, according to a statement by the ministry’s media office, “at a critical time in which the region has witnessed increasing economic and geopolitical challenges since 2019, including the pressures facing the financial systems and the repercussions of successive crises. Minister Jaber praised METAC’s flexibility and its ability to continue providing vital technical support to member states despite these difficult circumstances.”
During the meeting, the METAC delegation reviewed the center’s operational achievements, revealing that most of its planned activities had been implemented thanks to adaptation to remote and hybrid work methods, in addition to the partial resettlement of some team members. It was also emphasized that the demand for the center’s services remains high from member states, reflecting the continuing need for its specialized technical support.
The discussion discussed the new five-year phase of METAC’s work, which will be developed during the next Steering Committee meeting in Morocco. The Regional Director explained, “The Center intends to maintain its current work processes that serve 14 member states, with Somalia expected to join during the middle of the year, bringing the number of beneficiary countries to 15. The possibility of expansion in specific areas is also being discussed, especially regulation and supervision of the financial sector, and statistics, in response to the increasing demand from member states.”
The METAC delegation reaffirmed the Center’s commitment to remaining in Beirut, as it has been based in the Lebanese capital for more than twenty years, stressing that this presence constitutes a strength for the Centre, benefiting from the deep institutional knowledge and local expertise enjoyed by its advisors, which contribute to supporting the countries of the entire region. The progress made by Lebanon in a number of areas was also highlighted, including the publication of the Public Finance Monitoring Report, as an example of institutional and national flexibility.
For his part, the Minister of Finance expressed his appreciation for the continuing efforts made by METAC and its pivotal role in strengthening institutional and financial capabilities in the region, stressing the importance of continuing joint cooperation to confront current and future challenges and support paths of reform and economic development.
