PARIS – The Arab–European Banking and Economic Summit 2026 officially kicked off today in the French capital, Paris, under the theme “Towards a New Global Economic and Financial Balance,” with high-level participation from officials and experts across the Arab and international banking and financial sectors.
The summit is organized by the Union of Arab Banks, under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, at The Peninsula Hotel in Paris, with the participation of several European and Arab institutions, including the European Banking Federation in Brussels, the Arab–French Chamber of Commerce in Paris, the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, and the French Banking Federation.
The event witnessed the presence of prominent figures, including Lebanese Minister of Finance Yassin Jaber, Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, as well as officials from the International Monetary Fund, the Central Bank of Libya, the Union of Arab Banks, and a number of international financial experts and leaders.
Calls to Strengthen Arab–European Partnership
In his speech, Qatari Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership between Europe and the Arab world, expanding mutual investments, and developing cross-border infrastructure projects, emphasizing the need to enhance cybersecurity and protect financial systems amid accelerating digital transformation.
Lebanese Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, for his part, stated that the global economy is undergoing profound geopolitical and financial shifts that directly impact emerging economies. He noted that Lebanon, despite its position at the crossroads of Europe and the Arab world, faces significant challenges but also holds important opportunities.
Jaber called for investment in diversifying energy sources, strengthening regional connectivity, and developing renewable energy, stressing that the energy transition is now an economic and geopolitical necessity, not merely an environmental one. He also underlined the importance of enhancing Euro–Arab cooperation as a tool for stability and growth.
He further addressed the situation in Lebanon, highlighting the impact of crises and conflicts on the economy and infrastructure, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms and cooperation with the International Monetary Fund as a key path toward recovery and rebuilding trust, stressing that the cessation of hostilities is essential for any sustainable economic recovery.
French Envoy: Economic Corridor Linking 2.5 Billion People
The French President’s Special Envoy for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) highlighted the importance of the strategic project aimed at strengthening logistics, energy, and data connectivity between continents. He noted that it covers approximately 2.5 billion people and contributes to global economic and political stability.
Calls to Rebuild Confidence in Lebanon’s Financial Sector
Lebanon’s Banking Association President, Salim Sfeir, stated that the Lebanese crisis is a comprehensive structural crisis rather than a purely banking one, calling for comprehensive reforms to rebuild trust between the state, depositors, and investors.
He affirmed that Lebanon possesses strong economic, human, and financial capabilities that can support recovery, emphasizing the importance of restoring confidence, activating partnerships with the Arab banking sector, and repositioning Lebanon as a regional financial hub.
Summit Continues Discussions
The summit continues with broad participation from Arab and European officials and experts, focusing on strengthening economic cooperation, supporting financial stability, and developing strategic partnerships across the Mediterranean amid rapidly evolving global economic and geopolitical transformations.
