Press Release on the İstanbul Economic Forum (2026-44)

No: 2026-44

October 9, 2026

Press Release on the İstanbul Economic Forum 

The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye organized the İstanbul Economic Forum on October 8-9, 2026 at its İstanbul Financial Center premises.

The event, which began with the opening remarks by Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye, featured speakers at governor and deputy governor levels from various central banks and institutions (Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the Bank for International Settlements, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, the World Bank and Uzbekistan). Additionally, Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance of Egypt, gave a special address. The event also featured high-level participation from public institutions, international organizations and banks.

On the first day of the Forum, participants discussed the strategic outlook for the global economy, monetary policy in an environment of uncertainty, and the opportunities and risks artificial intelligence presents for the global economy in three panel sessions.

The second day featured two panel sessions, focusing on how to balance growth amid trade uncertainties and on the regulatory landscape for financial stability.

As part of the program Christopher J. Waller, U.S. Federal Reserve Governor, and Andrew Bailey, Bank of England Governor, delivered keynote speeches. 

In his speech, Christopher J. Waller assessed the outlook for the U.S. economy and shared his views on the course of monetary policy. Governor Waller also highlighted alternatives in monetary policy communication, touching on the role of economic projections in shaping monetary policy expectations and the importance of a data-driven policy approach.

Andrew Bailey, noting that the financial system has remained resilient in the face of recurring economic and geopolitical shocks, assessed the impact of growth, supply chains, and changing market structures on financial stability. He highlighted the critical role of monetary and fiscal policies in this regard and emphasized the need to strengthen financial markets in the face of shocks.

The program also included a fireside chat featuring Governor Karahan and Pablo Hernández de Cos, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements. The chat focused on how central banks have adjusted their monetary policy frameworks and communication strategies in response to heightened global uncertainties.

 

Contact

For further information, please send an email to basin@tcmb.gov.tr.