Rebecca PY International Monetary Fund and Thai authorities have reviewed preparations for the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings to be held in Bangkok this October. The event will bring global financial leaders together to discuss economic resilience, digital finance and sustainable growth.
THAILAND, 5 MARCH 2026 – Thailand is ramping up preparations to host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, scheduled to take place from October 12 to 18, 2026 in Bangkok.
A recent review meeting brought together senior officials including Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, Ekniti Nitithanprapas of Thailand’s Ministry of Finance and Vitai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand. The discussion focused on assessing readiness across multiple areas, including infrastructure, security, branding and coordination among stakeholders.
The meetings will be hosted at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, a venue that previously hosted the same global gathering in 1991. Organisers noted that the convention center’s modern facilities and Bangkok’s position as a regional conference hub make the city well positioned to host the international event.
Officials expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, highlighting strong collaboration between the IMF, the Thai government and relevant agencies. Preparations are advancing steadily to ensure the meetings deliver both operational excellence and meaningful global dialogue.
Thailand’s selection as host marks the second time the country will organise the Annual Meetings, making it one of only three nations outside the United States to host the event more than once. According to Thai authorities, this milestone reflects the country’s economic development over the past three decades and its continued role in global economic cooperation.
The 2026 meetings will be guided by the theme Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience. The theme reflects Thailand’s development journey and its vision for the future, focusing on human capital, economic resilience and international collaboration in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Thai officials noted that the event provides an opportunity to showcase the country’s development model, shaped by decades of economic transformation and strengthened financial systems. The discussions will also address global challenges such as geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and the impact of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.
The Bank of Thailand is expected to highlight its Safe and Inclusive Digital Finance (SIDF) initiative during the meetings, promoting financial resilience and broader financial access. The SIDF agenda aims to create a practical framework that countries can adapt to improve financial wellbeing and strengthen digital financial ecosystems.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised the collaboration between international partners and Thai authorities in preparing for the event. She emphasised that Asia continues to play a critical role in driving global economic growth, particularly during a period of uncertainty in the world economy.
The IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings gather central bank governors, finance ministers, policymakers, private sector leaders and civil society representatives from around the world. Discussions typically focus on global economic outlooks, financial stability, development financing and policy cooperation.
With preparations progressing steadily, Thailand aims to deliver a successful international gathering that reinforces its position as a regional economic hub while contributing new ideas to global discussions on resilience, inclusive growth and digital finance.