Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025 | 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Location: Cedar Hall HQ1-1-660
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OVERVIEW
Syria is undergoing a profound transformation following years of a devastating civil war. IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department's “Governor Talk” for the 2025 Annual Meetings will feature Yisr Barnieh, Minister of Finance of Syria, in a candid conversation on the challenges and opportunities in stabilizing and rebuilding Syria’s economy. The discussion will highlight the reform efforts led by the new economic management team, the supporting role of international partners, and the Fund’s role in providing technical and capacity development assistance and coordinating donors’ support in the areas of its mandate
SPEAKER
Mohammed Yisr Barnieh
Minister of Finance, Syrian Arab Republic
Mohammed Yisr Barnieh is a Syrian economist and policymaker serving as Minister of Finance in the Syrian transitional government since 29 March 2025. He previously held senior positions in international financial institutions and played a key role in shaping Syria's financial markets.
Barnieh began his professional career in 1996 as a trainee at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Later that year, he joined the Arab Monetary Fund as an economist.
Between 2004 and 2007, Barnieh contributed to the establishment of the Syrian Commission on Financial Markets and Securities and the Damascus Securities Exchange, underpinning the development of Syria’s financial sector by strengthening its regulatory and institutional framework.
From 2009 to 2024, he held various positions within the Arab Monetary Fund, culminating in his role as the director of the Economic Policy Department. In this capacity, he oversaw economic research and advised Arab governments on financial reforms.
Barnieh earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Damascus University in 1990. He then pursued graduate studies in economics at the University of Kansas, the University of Washington, and Oklahoma State University between 1990 and 1994.
MODERATOR
Dr. Jihad Azour
Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department
IMF
Mr. Jihad Azour is the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund where he oversees the Fund’s work in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Caucasus.
Mr. Azour served as Lebanon’s Finance Minister in 2005-08, during which time he coordinated the implementation of important reforms, including modernizing the country’s tax and customs systems. Before and since his time as finance minister, he held a wide range of positions in the private sector, including McKinsey and Booz and Co. where he was a Vice-President and Senior Executive Advisor. Prior to joining the IMF in March 2017, he was a Managing Partner at investment firm Inventis Partners.
Mr. Azour holds a PhD in International Finance and a post-graduate degree in International Economics and Finance, both from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. He also did research on emerging economies and their integration into the global economy as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard. Mr. Azour has published several books and articles on economic and financial issues and taught extensively.
