Thailand reaffirms its readiness to host the "Financial Olympics" meeting this October, emphasizing its role in enhancing confidence in Thailand as an important hub for global economic cooperation and collaboration rather than just a venue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Akniti Nitithanprapas, together with Mr. Vichai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, and Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, jointly updated on the progress of preparations for the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings. The Thai organizing committee and the IMF have been coordinating smoothly and according to plan. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress and praised the modern facilities of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and Bangkok’s capacity as a leading international conference hub in the region. The strong cooperation between the IMF and Thai agencies is a key factor for the success and meaningful outcomes of the 2026 Annual Meetings. This will be the second time Thailand hosts these meetings, the first being in 1991 at the same venue.
Mr. Akniti stated that Thailand being chosen to host again is a significant opportunity for the country. The meeting returns to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, originally built to host the 1991 event, reflecting Thailand's continuous development over more than 35 years and the trust it holds as a major global economic cooperation hub. Thailand is one of only three countries honored to host the event more than once, demonstrating its capability and readiness for world-class events. One key opportunity as host is to share Thailand’s development experiences and vision under the theme “Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience.” This theme reflects Thailand’s progress, building on lessons from over 35 years, emphasizing the importance of people as the core of development to drive the economy amid rapid changes like artificial intelligence, and the need to strengthen resilience against challenges ranging from geopolitical conflicts to climate change, which will greatly affect Thailand’s future. This transformative vision could serve as a model for other countries in the region to adopt in the future.
Mr. Vichai pointed out that the meeting takes place during a time when the global economy faces multiple challenges, requiring long-term perspectives, proper use of innovation, and international cooperation. "This meeting is a crucial platform for member countries worldwide to exchange views and collaboratively develop policies and practices aimed at sustainable, strong, and inclusive growth.".The Bank of Thailand promotes financial stability through building a safe and inclusive digital financial economy. It emphasized that the Annual Meetings are a vital opportunity to advance the global SIDF agenda by developing practical models countries can adapt to their own contexts. Thailand has contributed to presenting this SIDF model to the global community, even after its hosting role ends. The country has confirmed its readiness to ensure the meeting runs smoothly to support the IMF’s targeted outcomes.
Ms. Kristalina Georgieva expressed admiration for the strong cooperation between Thai public agencies and citizens, and the professionalism, dedication, and warm hospitality of the team. She expressed confidence and great excitement about Thailand’s readiness to host the meeting, reflecting the robust collaboration between the Thai government, the IMF, and the World Bank team. She emphasized Asia’s continuing role as a key driver of global economic growth. Holding the meeting in Asia is particularly meaningful for building on the region’s success and working with the global community to create a strong and resilient future economy. She looks forward to welcoming delegates worldwide to Thailand to jointly address shared challenges through practical and actionable cooperation and solutions.
The 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, which Thailand will host, are scheduled for 12–18 October 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
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