Shanghai, China, December 8, 2025 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially inaugurated its newly established Shanghai Center on Monday, marking a significant step in enhancing the Fund’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.
The IMF Shanghai Center will serve as a key hub for research, policy dialogue, and knowledge sharing, focusing on challenges and opportunities facing emerging market and middle-income countries. The center aims to deepen collaboration with member countries, regional institutions, and other stakeholders, supporting informed policy-making across the dynamic economies of the region.
The IMF expressed its gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for its financial contributions toward establishing the Shanghai Center and its facilities.
Mr. Johannes Wiegand has been appointed as the first Director of the Shanghai Center. A seasoned IMF economist, Wiegand brings extensive expertise in global and regional economic policy and has strong connections with policymakers and academic institutions worldwide, positioning him to lead the center effectively.
The launch was followed by the center’s inaugural research seminar, titled “Trending Issues in Macroeconomic Policy Research.” The seminar gathered leading economic scholars and IMF staff to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in the region, including structural transformation, economic growth, finance, artificial intelligence, and innovation.
The IMF Shanghai Center is expected to become a pivotal platform for research, dialogue, and policy insights, helping strengthen the Fund’s support for sustainable economic growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region.