The drop in oil prices has not hit Qatar's economy particularly hard, and its central bank governor, Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani, is looking to further diversification, a strong banking sector, infrastructure investment and closer ties with China to keep the country in the fast lane when it comes to economic growth.

The IMF's quota system – which heavily favours the G7 countries – has long been deemed outdated by the BRICS countries, among others. But with any hope of immediate reform being held up in US Congress, and alternative institutions being established, the IMF's battle to remain globally relevant is under threat.

In 2014, the Ebola crisis and a collapse in iron ore prices shattered the steady economic improvements made by Sierra Leone in the years since its civil war ended. Its minister of foreign affairs, Dr Samura Kamara, describes how the country is recovering from these blows and is looking to a more positive future.

The historic deal to end sanctions imposed by various Western powers upon Iran still has hurdles to clear, but already would-be investors are eyeing the country's rich potential.

International financial institutions remain crucial in central and eastern Europe as the fallout from the financial crisis continues to make its presence felt. But just how far should these development banks go in helping to resolve the various crises that have hit the countries of this region in recent years? 

Ukraine has experienced a devastating sequence of events in recent years, but now, thanks to the new government's reform programme, its citizens can look to a brighter future, says the country's finance minister Natalie Jaresko.

Serbia's economic struggles have been well documented over the past few years, with its fiscal deficit particularly worrying. The country's finance minister, Dušan Vujović, tells Stefanie Linhardt how the government's reforms are already advancing down a route he hopes will lead to full EU accession.

Regulators are playing an important role in how banks guard against cyber risks, but their emphasis is very much on guidance and co-operation rather than rules and coercion.