Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, 17 June 2026 – On the sidelines of the 2026 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman of the IsDB Group, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Governors and senior representatives from Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kuwait, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic, reaffirming the Group’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing sustainable development across its member countries.  

The discussions reflected the breadth of the IsDB Group’s engagement with its members and focused on shared development priorities, including infrastructure, regional connectivity, human capital development, energy, food security, climate resilience, and private sector-led growth.  

In his meeting with H.E. Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and IsDB Governor for the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Al Jasser reviewed key areas of future cooperation, including human capital development, food security, energy, transport, the green transition, and enhanced private sector participation. He also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s longstanding partnership with the IsDB Group and its role as one of the institution’s leading partners.  

Dr. Al Jasser also met with H.E. Professor Yaqoub Al-Sayed Yousif Al-Rifai, Minister of Finance and IsDB Governor for the State of Kuwait. Discussions focused on opportunities to further deepen cooperation and build on the strong strategic relationship between Kuwait and the IsDB Group. The two sides underscored the importance of continued collaboration in promoting economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development. Dr. Al Jasser also conveyed his appreciation for Kuwait’s continued support to IsDB Group institutions, including its contribution to the IsDB Concessional Fund (ICF), which supports development programs in the Group’s least developed member countries. 

During his engagement with H.E. Mr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Planning and Development and IsDB Governor for the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, discussions centered on the implementation of the Member Country Partnership Strategy 2025–2029 and support for the National Development Plan 2026–2030. The two sides also reviewed opportunities to advance priority projects, including IsDB’s first strategic engagement in Côte d’Ivoire’s energy sector, reaffirming their shared commitment to translating cooperation into tangible development outcomes.  

The IsDB Group Chairman also held discussions with H.E. Mr. Nurlan Baibazarov, Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs and Acting IsDB Governor for the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exchange highlighted the strong partnership between the IsDB Group and Kazakhstan and explored opportunities under the forthcoming Member Country Partnership Strategy 2027–2032. Priority areas included water resilience, transport connectivity, industrial development, utilities, and support for Kazakhstan’s long-term development agenda. 

In a separate engagement, Dr. Al Jasser and H.E. Dr. Mahdi Heidari, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and Acting IsDB Governor for the Islamic Republic of Iran, exchanged views on the longstanding partnership between the IsDB Group and Iran and discussed areas of mutual interest within the Group’s development mandate.  

The Chairman’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Ruslan Suinaliev, Minister of Finance and IsDB Alternate Governor for the Kyrgyz Republic, reviewed the strong partnership between the IsDB Group and the country. Discussions also covered sustainable infrastructure, inclusive human capital development, and regional connectivity, including continued engagement on the strategic CASA-1000 project.  

Dr. Al Jasser also met with H.E. Mr. Abdelkrim Bouzred, Minister of Finance and IsDB Governor for the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in support of Algeria’s national development priorities, particularly in infrastructure development, economic diversification, and human capital development. Dr. Al Jasser reaffirmed the IsDB Group’s readiness to continue supporting Algeria through its financing, expertise, and strategic partnerships. 

The partnership between the IsDB Group and Turkmenistan was the focus of another bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Rahimberdi J. Jepbarov, Chairman of the Board of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs and IsDB Governor for Turkmenistan. Discussions explored opportunities to expand cooperation in transport connectivity, trade finance, and other priority development areas. The meeting also highlighted the strong track record of cooperation between the two sides, with cumulative approvals totaling US$1.38 billion across 30 operations.  

Across all these meetings, Dr. Al Jasser reiterated the IsDB Group’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, scaling up impact-driven investments, and supporting member countries in achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development.