GCC Central Bank Governors Meet in Bahrain on Financial Integration

Central bank governors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened in Manama, Bahrain, on September 14, 2026, for a series of high-level financial meetings. The primary gathering, the 87th meeting of the GCC Central Bank Governors' Committee, was chaired by Khalid Ebrahim Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain. The committee focused on monetary and financial developments, banking supervision, anti-money laundering initiatives, and the integration of payment systems to bolster regional financial resilience.

As part of the proceedings, the governors held a joint meeting with the People's Bank of China. Other key participants included Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of the Qatar Central Bank, who represented the State of Qatar.

Parallel to the main committee session, officials held the 66th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Monetary Council and the 23rd board meeting of the Gulf Payments Company. The latter was chaired by Khaled Mohamed Balama and focused on reviewing the AFAQ Gulf Payments System. The sessions concluded with the adoption of several decisions aimed at advancing the joint GCC work programme.