The bulletin showed that most Arab stock markets recorded improved performance during the quarter, with thirteen Arab exchanges posting gains, while only three recorded declines. The AMF Arab Composite Index registered a slight quarterly decline of 0.16% compared to the end of the first quarter of 2026, while recording year-on-year growth of 1.08%.

The Tunis Stock Exchange recorded the strongest performance among Arab markets, with its main index rising by 29.28%, followed by the Egyptian Exchange (11.40%), the Dubai Financial Market (9.59%), and the Damascus Securities Exchange (9.32%). Meanwhile, the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) and the Muscat Stock Exchange recorded the largest declines during the period, falling by 4.00% and 8.09%, respectively, while the Iraq Stock Exchange declined by 0.61%.

The programmes covered a range of priority topics, including macroeconomics, financial markets, digital financial services, green and sustainable finance, cybersecurity, compliance, risk management, tax policies, and economic and econometric analysis, contributing to the development of Arab expertise and supporting the region’s response to evolving economic and financial developments.

Several programmes were delivered in collaboration with regional and international institutions, including Buna – the Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the IMF Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (IMF-CEF), HEC Paris, and the Financial Stability Institute of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS-FSI), fostering knowledge exchange and the adoption of international best practices.
 

The AMF Composite Index remained broadly stable during May 2026, recording a slight decline of 0.05% compared to the previous month. Eight Arab stock exchanges posted gains, while six recorded declines. The Tunis Stock Exchange led the region with a gain of 10.04%, followed by the Damascus Securities Exchange (7.99%), the Amman Stock Exchange (3.46%), the Egyptian Exchange (1.73%), and the Casablanca Stock Exchange (1.57%).

The market capitalization of Arab capital markets declined by 0.31%, reaching approximately USD 4.42 trillion at the end of May 2026, a decrease of around USD 13.72 billion compared to the previous month, despite increases in market capitalization across eleven Arab stock exchanges.

Trading activity also declined, with the total value of traded securities falling by 26.42% to approximately USD 76.95 billion, reflecting lower trading volumes across several major markets, particularly the Saudi Exchange and the Egyptian Exchange.

The meeting is chaired by H.E. Amina Mirghani Hassan, Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan and Chair of the current session of the Council. It is attended by members of the Permanent Council, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the League of Arab States, and H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund.

 

The meeting will discuss a number of priority topics, including financial stability and macroprudential policy, the role of monetary policy in enhancing export competitiveness, progress in implementing the Comprehensive Instant Payment Initiative, the restructuring of the governance framework of Buna, the Regional Institution for the Clearing and Settlement of Arab Payments, and a proposal to establish an Artificial Intelligence Working Group. Participants will also review progress in preparing the Arab Financial Stability Report and the Joint Arab Economic Report, in addition to considering the report of the Council Secretariat.