BQK - Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo
BQK - Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo
10/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/19/2026 19:35
High-level delegation of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosova led by Governor Ismaili, successfully concludes the 2026 IMF and WB Annual Meetings in Bangkok
A high-level delegation of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosova (CBK) led by Governor Mr. Ahmet Ismaili, participated in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WB), held in Bangkok, Thailand.
During the meetings held from 12 to 18 October, Governor Ismaili and his associates presented the main developments and priorities in the financial sector of the Republic of Kosovo, the results of implementing programmes and professional technical assistance, as well as the need for further technical support.
Governor Ismaili, accompanied by Deputy Governor Ms. Nesrin Shileku-Shala, met with Ms. Marina Moretti, Deputy Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department (MCM) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The meeting discussed the progress achieved by the CBK in implementing reforms and recommendations supported through IMF technical assistance, as well as priorities for further advancing the regulatory and supervisory framework, strengthening the resilience of the financial sector and safeguarding financial stability.
The discussions focused on implementing the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP), operationalising the Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) framework, developing the regulatory and supervisory framework for crypto-assets, and strengthening crisis-management and financial-stability capacities.
Governor Ismaili presented concrete progress in implementing SREP, including the development of key risk and early-warning indicators, the automation of supervisory assessment processes and the enhancement of the SREP Manual. He stressed that these developments represent important steps towards consolidating risk-based supervision and aligning with European Banking Authority (EBA) standards and the Pillar 2 requirements of the Basel Framework.
The head of the CBK met with Ms. Jana Repanšek, Director of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), to discuss advancing cooperation between the CBK and CEF, with a focus on building professional and institutional capacities, developing expertise, and exchanging knowledge and international best practices.
Governor Ismaili presented the CBK's reforms and strategic priorities, emphasising the importance of continuous professional development and stronger institutional capacities for the effective fulfilment of its mandate and alignment with international standards. Particular attention was paid to coordination for implementing planned joint activities and programmes, as well as to the organisational aspects of regional events aimed at exchanging experience and strengthening inter-institutional cooperation in the region.
During the Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Governor Ismaili met with Mr. Babak Abbaszadeh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toronto Centre. The meeting focused on opportunities to establish cooperation between the CBK and Toronto Centre, particularly in institutional capacity building, professional development, and the exchange of international expertise and best practices.
Governor Ismaili presented the CBK's ongoing reforms and strategic priorities, highlighting the importance of strengthening institutional capacities, advancing regulatory and supervisory practices, and further aligning with international standards.
The CBK's high-level delegation held a high-level bilateral meeting with Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and his team, on the margins of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group. The meeting focused on financial developments in Kosovo, the resilience of the financial system, progress in implementing strategic reforms, and priorities for further strengthening cooperation between the CBK and the IMF.
Governor Ismaili highlighted the continued stability and strong performance of Kosovo's financial sector, noting that the banking sector remains well capitalised, liquid and resilient, while the financial system as a whole continues to demonstrate stability. He underlined the CBK's approach of placing financial stability at the centre of its priorities, supported by stronger risk-based supervision, advancement of the macroprudential framework, improved monitoring of systemic risks, and continuous alignment of the regulatory and supervisory framework with European and international standards.
Governor Ismaili, accompanied by his delegation, held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Nathalie Francken, Executive Director for the World Bank Group Constituency. The meeting discussed advancing cooperation and progress in implementing the CBK's strategic projects, with particular focus on modernising payment infrastructure, developing the instant payment system (TIPS Clone), advancing Kosovo's integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and promoting financial inclusion and the digitalisation of financial services.
Governor Ismaili stressed the importance of these reforms for increasing the efficiency, security and accessibility of financial services, reducing payment costs and strengthening Kosovo's integration with European financial systems, for the benefit of citizens, businesses and the country's economic development.
As part of the meetings with IMF officials, Governor Ismaili held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Mateusz Szczurek, Director of the European Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The meeting focused on macroeconomic and financial developments in Kosovo, the resilience of the financial sector, progress in implementing strategic reforms, and priorities for further strengthening cooperation between the CBK and the IMF.
Governor Ismaili highlighted the stability and strong performance of Kosovo's banking sector, reaffirming the CBK's commitment to safeguarding financial stability, strengthening institutional resilience, and advancing the regulatory and supervisory framework in line with European and international standards.
Governor Ismaili participated in the high-level meeting of central bank governors and finance ministers from Central, Eastern and Southeastern European countries, organised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of the 2026 Annual Meetings. The meeting focused on the Regional Economic Outlook for Europe, addressing economic and financial developments, potential risks and economic policy priorities in the region.
This meeting provided Governor Ismaili with an important opportunity to hold discussions and exchange views and experiences with his counterparts from central banks and with finance ministers of participating European countries on common economic and financial challenges, policies for safeguarding stability and the region's development prospects. Participation in this format contributes to strengthening the CBK's dialogue and institutional cooperation with European central banks and international financial institutions in support of financial stability and European financial integration.
Governor Ismaili attended the Plenary Session of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. The session was addressed by Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF; and Mr. Carlos Carvallo Spalding, Chair of the Annual Meetings and President of the Central Bank of Paraguay.
Governor Ismaili's participation forms part of the CBK's high-level engagement in the 2026 Annual Meetings and represents an important opportunity to follow global policy discussions and developments relevant to Kosovo's financial system and the CBK's ongoing reform agenda.
Governor Ismaili, accompanied by the CBK delegation, held a bilateral meeting on the margins of the 2026 Annual Meetings with Mr. Yigit Yaşar, Executive Director representing Kosovo's Constituency at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
During the meeting, Governor Ismaili presented the latest financial developments in Kosovo, highlighting the stability, resilience and strong performance of the financial system, as well as progress in implementing the CBK's strategic reforms. The discussions covered developments and reforms across the financial sector, while underscoring the CBK's continued commitment to safeguarding financial stability, strengthening institutional capacities, and further aligning the regulatory and supervisory framework with European and international standards.
As part of his participation in the 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, Governor Ismaili, accompanied by the CBK delegation, held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, and her team. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation to advance reforms in Kosovo's financial sector, with particular emphasis on financial stability, modernisation of payment systems, consumer protection and financial inclusion.
Governor Ismaili presented progress in implementing the World Bank-supported Financial Sector Development Project, highlighting its contribution to achieving the CBK's strategic priorities and modernising Kosovo's financial infrastructure.
Governor Ismaili also presented progress in implementing the Law on Payment Services, adopting the relevant secondary legislation and preparing Kosovo's application for SEPA membership. He stressed the importance of the approved amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), as well as progress on the regulatory changes arising from this law and the procedural clarifications needed to finalise the application process.
Together with Governors from the IMF's 191 member countries, Governor Ismaili represented the Republic of Kosovo at the plenary meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC). In addition, during his participation, Governor Ismaili met with Governors from around the world and exchanged views in support of the mandate for the financial stability of our country.
The CBK's participation in this high-level forum enables Kosovo to engage in the international dialogue on economic and financial challenges, exchange experiences with counterparts, and become acquainted with the strategic direction of global policies.
The CBK takes these developments, risks and policy directions into account in designing and implementing its regulatory, supervisory and financial-stability policies, adapting them to the characteristics and needs of Kosovo's financial sector. In this regard, priorities remain strengthening risk-based supervision, ensuring the resilience of financial institutions, modernising and safeguarding payment infrastructure, and addressing operational and cyber risks, as well as risks related to new technologies.
The IMFC is responsible for advising and reporting to the IMF Board of Governors, while guiding and shaping the international monetary and financial system.
Concluding the 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, the CBK Governor participated in the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Constituency of which the Republic of Kosovo is a member. The meeting brought together representatives of the Constituency's member countries to exchange views on global economic and financial developments, emerging risks, IMF priorities and opportunities to strengthen cooperation.
The discussions covered macroeconomic and financial stability, financial-sector resilience, and challenges related to technological developments, digitalisation and emerging financial risks.
Governor Ismaili's participation in this meeting forms part of the CBK's ongoing engagement within the IMF and the relevant Constituency, contributing to stronger institutional cooperation, the exchange of experiences and the representation of the Republic of Kosovo in the international financial architecture.
During the stay in Bangkok, Thailand, the delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of international financial institutions and participating central banks. The Governor also attended the official reception hosted by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.
In addition, members of the delegation participated in key discussion panels focusing on current developments and challenges in the global economy and financial system, with particular emphasis on the impact of artificial intelligence, geopolitical developments, and their implications for the global economic outlook and international financial stability.
The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank bring together central bank governors, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private-sector leaders, civil-society representatives and academics to discuss issues of global importance, including the world economic outlook, economic development, poverty reduction and stronger economic resilience.
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BQK - Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo published this content on October 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 20, 2026 at 01:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]