The Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance emphasized the importance of accelerating the completion of approved projects, removing obstacles to their implementation, and utilizing the financial capabilities of the Islamic Development Bank to fulfill the country's priority tasks.
Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, during annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, held a meeting with Mohammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank. During this meeting, the parties exchanged views on the process of implementing bank-financed projects, as well as ways to strengthen financial and developmental cooperation.
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance noted that among the main topics of these negotiations was monitoring approved projects and eliminating barriers to their execution, especially in the sectors of environmental infrastructure development, urban wastewater, and education.
According to the report, the issue of extending the credit term and re-approving some priority projects, which had already been assessed, was discussed. Both sides stressed the need to use the remaining planned credits to complete current projects.
Other issues raised included strengthening banking coordination, finalizing installment payments, and simplifying the process of repaying financial obligations. These points can help prevent the halt of project implementation and ensure the continuity of joint cooperation.
During this meeting, special attention was paid to continuing expert consultations, resolving existing problems, and focusing efforts on completing unfinished projects to more effectively utilize the potential of cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank.
Earlier, in mid-June, the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and head of Iran's Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance, acting as an alternate member of the Islamic Development Bank's Executive Board, met with Mohammad Sulaiman Al Jasser. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 51st Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank's Executive Board (IsDB) in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mehdi Heidari, head of Iran's Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance, during this meeting, besides congratulating Mr. Al-Jasser on his election and appointment as President of IsDB, emphasized the unwavering support of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Bank and stated his country's expectations from the Islamic Development Bank in maintaining and expanding interaction with Iran as a major shareholder.
Expressing gratitude to the Islamic Development Bank for its cooperation in financing the country's projects, he pointed out the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Bank and its economic capabilities for implementing various projects. He added that eliminating existing obstacles and problems to advancing and increasing financial cooperation between the two parties is one of the main programs of the Investment Organization.
Heidari reported that a special program has been launched to resolve financial issues between the two parties. Currently, part of the obligations has been fulfilled, and the rest will be implemented shortly.
He stressed that to accelerate processes, it is necessary to develop a joint financing program for the country's presented and completed projects within coordinated joint actions, while fulfilling current obligations.
At this meeting, a list of priority projects was presented to the President of the Islamic Development Bank, and the importance of capacity building and training, as well as conducting bilateral or multilateral seminars focused on the Islamic Development Bank, was also emphasized.
Mohammad Al-Jasser, welcoming the Iranian delegation's presence, emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the major shareholders and reliable partners of the Islamic Development Bank. He noted that under the current new circumstances, suitable potential and opportunity will be ensured for further cooperation.
He added that the role and position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region is of great importance, and the implementation of development projects in this country will not only benefit its economy but also stimulate the regional economy and the further progress of neighboring countries.
The President of the Islamic Development Bank, referring to the issues raised, requests and proposals, expressed hope for the early expansion of cooperation between the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The 51st Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank's Executive Board took place from June 16 to 19, 2026, in Baku under the slogan 'Regional Convergence for Sustainable Prosperity'. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development bank established in 1974 and headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It began its operations in October 1975 with a mandate to promote economic development and social progress in member countries and Muslim communities worldwide, in accordance with Sharia principles (Islamic law). The Bank has 57 member countries in West Asia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, and membership is open to states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).