Beirut: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, expressed that the upcoming annual Arab Banking Conference in Beirut serves as a beacon of hope for the Lebanese people. Scheduled for November 27, 2025, and organized by the Union of Arab Banks, the event signifies renewed confidence from the Arab world in Lebanon, highlighting its pivotal role not only in the banking sector but across various economic domains.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President Aoun's comments were made during a meeting at Baabda Palace with key figures from the Union of Arab Banks. Present at the meeting were Dr. Joseph Torbey, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Union, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Board member and Kuwaiti representative, Dr. Adnan Al-Ismail, representative from the United Arab Emirates, and Dr. Wissam Fattouh, Secretary-General of the Union.
Dr. Torbey informed President Aoun about the preparations for the conference's return to Beirut after a four-year hiatus, emphasizing the significance of the event. He highlighted that the Union, consisting of 340 Arab banks including Lebanese ones, has been based in Beirut since its inception in 1974. The meetings were previously disrupted due to Lebanon's challenging circumstances.
He further noted that the conference in Beirut aims to address issues pertinent to the Arab banking sector, while also sending a strong economic and political message to the international community regarding Lebanon's financial and economic significance.
President Aoun commended the delegation and underscored the Union's role in fostering cooperation among Arab banks and enhancing their contribution to the economic growth of Arab nations, including Lebanon.