ABA 2026 to gather regional banking leaders in Maldives this September

Maldives will host the 42nd Asian Bankers Association (ABA) General Meeting and Conference from September 1 - 3, 2026, bringing one of Asia’s most influential financial gatherings to the country for the second time.

The event is being organized by Bank of Maldives (BML), which was selected as host during the 41st ABA Conference held in Bhutan last year. BML’s CEO and Managing Director, Mohamed Shareef, currently serves as Vice Chairman of the association.

ABA Chairman and Bank of Bhutan Chairman, Thinley Namgyel, extended an official invitation to member banks, noting that this year’s conference will be his first in the role of Chairman. He highlighted the significance of returning to Maldives eight years after the country first hosted the event in 2018.

Namgyel said the gathering will offer delegates an opportunity to understand how the Maldivian economy has evolved over the past decade, including its strong human development indicators and upper-middle-income status. He noted that the conference will help identify new areas of business opportunity and deepen regional financial cooperation.

This year’s theme, “Banking in Asia: Investing to Build Resilience”, reflects the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s financial sector. The three-day event will focus on how banks can strengthen resilience amid rapid technological change, shifting customer expectations, geopolitical uncertainty, climate-related risks and evolving economic conditions.

In a message welcoming delegates, BML CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Shareef said hosting the conference again is a proud moment for the Maldives.

“We are deeply honoured to host this prestigious gathering,” Shareef said. “Since the Association last convened in our country in 2018, the Maldives has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. It is especially meaningful to welcome our colleagues back to witness the progress achieved and to engage in discussions that will shape the future of banking in Asia.”

Shareef said the conference will serve as an important platform for industry leaders, regulators, policymakers and experts to exchange perspectives, explore emerging opportunities and strengthen partnerships across the region. He added that BML remains committed to supporting initiatives that advance regional cooperation and contribute to the development of Asia’s banking sector.

Delegates attending the conference will include CEOs, senior executives and financial experts from ABA member institutions. The programme will feature high-level discussions, expert panels, workshops and networking sessions on issues critical to the future of banking and financial services.

Registrations are now open through the official conference portal.