Thailand has been selected to host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), set to take place in October 2026 in Bangkok.

This decision was affirmed by the Boards of Governors of both organizations, marking the second time since 1991 that Thailand will welcome these important global economic conferences.

The Annual Meetings gather central bankers, finance ministers, leaders from the private sector, representatives from civil society, members of the media, and academics to address urgent concerns impacting the global economy, including economic forecasts, financial stability, poverty alleviation, inclusive growth, job creation, climate change, and digitalization.

Preparations are in progress, spearheaded by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to host over 18,000 attendees from nearly 200 member nations.

Participants will include finance ministers, central bank governors, and high-level officials from international financial institutions.

The Thai government has incorporated the hosting of these meetings into its national agenda, seeing it as an opportunity to highlight the country's economic and financial progress.

Thailand aspires to establish itself as a regional financial center, capitalizing on innovations like artificial intelligence and digital payment solutions.

Beyond economic conversations, the meetings will also serve as a venue to showcase Thailand's cultural heritage, tourism opportunities, and service sectors.

The government intends to use this event to display Thailand's unique arts, culture, and cuisine to an international audience.

The IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings are usually held for two consecutive years at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., with every third year taking place in a member country.

Thailand's selection for the 2026 meetings emphasizes its preparedness and ability to host large-scale international events.