As the world deals with the economic repercussions of the energy bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand hosts the world’s largest economic gathering: the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.
The event is expected to address the direction of the global economy, as well as developments in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, job creation, climate change, and investment in emerging markets.
The meetings are scheduled from Oct 12-18 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. More than 15,000 policymakers, economists, government and corporate representatives are expected to attend, in addition to media professionals from 191 countries, exchanging views on the future direction of the global economy.
Thailand previously hosted the meetings for the first time in 1991, during a period of rapid economic growth that led to speculation it might join Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan as an Asian tiger.
Just a few years later, Thailand was slammed by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, before eventually recovering in the years that followed.
As it hosts the meetings this year, the country is stuck in an era of low growth. The government wants to stimulate investment to kick-start economic expansion, raising GDP growth to around 3%, closer to Thailand’s estimated economic potential.
The meetings are regarded as a premier international economic and financial forum, bringing together central bank governors, finance and development ministers, executives, representatives of civil society organisations, think tanks, and academics from around the world to discuss the global economic outlook, financial stability, poverty reduction, inclusive growth, job creation, and emerging challenges arising from technology and geopolitics.
The meetings are typically held in Washington for two consecutive years before moving to a member country every third year, reflecting the organisations’ global character and providing greater opportunities for the institutions to engage with stakeholders in different countries and regions.
Thailand organised related activities ahead of the event, such as the IMF Economic Review Conference on June 11-12 under the theme “Power, Markets, and Strategy in a Changing Global Order”. The conference was jointly organised by the IMF, the Bank of Thailand, and the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
PRIVATE SECTOR AGENDA
The Thai private sector also organised a Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) meeting in cooperation with the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Thailand, and the World Bank Group to present their agenda.
The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 used the theme “Reinvent Thailand, Resilient Asean”, bringing together representatives from the government, private sector, financial sector, and global analysts to exchange views on ways to strengthen Thailand’s economic potential and connect its growth to the region.
The JSCCIB compiled proposals and ideas from the meeting into a white paper for further discussion and follow-up at the IMF-World Bank meetings. The proposals include promoting the creation of new growth engines for the Thai economy in areas such as energy, digital and data, the financial system, smart industries, logistics, and human capital development.
The goal is to nudge Thailand towards a high-value, resilient and inclusive economy, said the panel.
Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, vice-president for East Asia and Pacific at the World Bank, said Thailand’s main challenge is not simply deciding what needs to be done, but ensuring the strategies it sets out are actually implemented.
The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation are ready to serve as strategic partners in supporting Thailand’s economic transformation, he noted.
Mr Jaramillo also expressed confidence that Thailand has the potential to become a high-income country if it can sustain its development efforts and translate its reform vision into tangible results.
The programme for the meetings includes ministerial meetings, policy forums, the release of major economic reports, and activities involving the private sector and civil society. Key topics include the global economy and financial stability, AI and technology, job creation, private sector finance, trade and supply chains, public debt, climate change, and investment in emerging markets.
EXPECTED SCHEDULE
Oct 12: The week opens with a focus on AI and labour markets, including a World Bank forum titled “Small AI, Big Jobs”, as well as discussions on Asian labour markets in the age of AI and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Oct 13: The IMF is scheduled to release its World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report, which are monitored by financial markets worldwide. An Asean Roundtable with the IMF managing director is planned, along with a special forum titled “Bangkok 1991-2026: Thailand’s Path to Resilient, Inclusive Growth” examining Thailand’s economic development from the last time it hosted the meetings to the present.
Oct 14: The Fiscal Monitor is scheduled for release, followed by a press conference with the IMF managing director. Other sessions include “Asean in a Changing Global Landscape”, discussions on trade diversification in an increasingly volatile world, and the launch of the “Bangkok Blueprint”. AI remains a focus, with discussions covering AI and government, taxation in the age of AI, and technologies for advancing economies in the developing world.
Oct 15: The day features a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, an IMF Asia-Pacific press briefing, and a meeting of the Development Committee, one of the principal forums of the World Bank and IMF.
Oct 16: The annual meetings plenary is scheduled for 9-10.15am, followed by discussions of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) on global economic developments and prospects. Other sessions cover AI and cyber-risks, along with a Thailand-hosted event titled “Financing a Resilient Green Economy”.
Oct 17: The IMFC plenary session is from 10.15am-12.15pm, followed by an IMFC press conference. The day also features seminars on monetary policy and the future of financial stability assessments.
Oct 18: The meetings conclude with a signing ceremony related to the 2029 Annual Meetings.