IMF Regional Office in Riyadh

How it started: Following a visit to Saudi Arabia in October 2022, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced a significant milestone in the IMF’s partnership with the region: the establishment of an IMF Regional Office in Riyadh. The office officially launched its operations in April 2024, marked by a two-day conference co-organized with the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia on Industrial Policy for Diversification.

Objectives: The overarching objective of the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh is to support economic policymaking and reforms in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and, more broadly, in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region. This support includes fostering capacity development (CD) and facilitating dialogue with policymakers while engaging with academics, experts, and other stakeholders.

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- Abdoul Aziz Wane, Director, IMF Regional Office in Riyadh

Before assuming the role of Director of the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh, Abdoul Aziz served as Assistant Director in the Asia and Pacific Department (APD) of the IMF. In that capacity, he led the division responsible for Australia, New Zealand, and Timor Leste, and held cumulative responsibilities as Mission Chief for Australia and Senior Reviewer for several Pacific Island Countries. In June 2023, Abdoul rejoined the IMF following a one-year sabbatical at the University of Oxford, where he collaborated with Professor Paul Collier on a research project focused on economic fragility and the establishment of a public policy school in Africa. Abdoul’s career with the IMF encompasses a range of roles (Resident Representative, Director of the Training Center, Director of the Technical Assistance Center, Mission Chief, and Division Chief) in different departments (AFR, APD, ICD, FAD, MCD, and SPR). His IMF research focused on growth and convergence, public-private partnerships (PPPs), green investment, governance, and monetary policy. In 2022, he co-edited an IMF book titled "Good Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities and Lessons." Prior to joining the IMF, he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Dakar, Senegal. Abdoul Aziz holds a Master’s degree in Econometrics from the Toulouse School of Economics and a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Dakar.

- Balazs Csonto, Deputy Director, IMF Regional Office in Riyadh

Balazs Csonto is Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund Regional Office in Riyadh. Previously, he worked in the African, Strategy, Policy, and Review, and Western Hemisphere departments. He has covered several countries, such as Dominica, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen, as well as worked on several policy issues related to monetary policy, IMF surveillance, and the design of post-GFC IMF programs. His research includes work on monetary policy, capital flows and the international monetary system. Prior to joining the IMF, he was an economist at the European Investment Bank and ING Bank.

- Ismail Meghfour, Protocol Officer, IMF Regional Office in Riyadh

Ismail Meghfour joined the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh as Protocol Officer in October 2024. Before joining the IMF, Ismail spearheaded the establishment of the first United Nations Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh. In this role, his responsibilities included protocol, procurement, finance, office management, and operational excellence. Additionally, he served as a Program Officer in the UN Tourism’s Innovation, Education, and Investments Department. Previously, he was Digital Products Manager at Piensa Diferente, a product and software development company within Neolabels Group in Madrid. He holds an MSc in Communications and Digital Entrepreneurship from the European University of Madrid and a BSc in International Business Administration with a concentration in Economics from Saint Louis University, Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. Ismail is multilingual, fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.

- Abdulaziz Alhomaidi, Office Manager, IMF Regional Office in Riyadh

Abdulaziz Alhomaidi joined the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh as Office Manager in September 2024. He has over 15 years of diverse experience in international affairs, finance, banking, project management, and strategic planning. His career has included seven years at Saudi Aramco as an Assistant Contract Advisor, six years in retail banking, and leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. As Director of the International Technical Cooperation Department at the Saudi Ministry of Finance, Abdulaziz spearheaded collaborations between global organizations and local entities. He holds a Master’s degree in Finance specializing in Investment and Islamic Finance, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations.

- Ghadah Alsufyani, Administrative Assistant, IMF Regional Office in Riyadh

Ghadah Alsufyani joined the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh as an Administrative Assistant in December 2024. Previously, she served as an Administrator at Diverum AB, a leading global provider of dialysis care, and as a Helpdesk Operator and Client Care Representative at MADAR Co. Ghadah holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Princess Nourah University, with second-class honors. She has also earned a Certificate in Leadership Skills and an Executive Mini MBA from Leoron Institute, along with an International Certificate in IT Skills Foundation under Cambridge International Examination.

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