Thailand has been chosen as the host country for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s annual joint meeting in 2026. After Thailand was evaluated by the World Bank in December 2020, the decision was made.
Thailand was one of ten countries that expressed interest in hosting the meeting, according to Finance Minister Arkhom Tempittayapaisith. The joint meeting is expected to draw approximately 12,000 participants from around the world.
Arkhom stated that the meeting will provide an opportunity for finance ministers from the World Bank’s 189 member countries and central bank governors from the IMF’s 190 member countries to collaborate on global economic and financial situations, poverty reduction, job creation, climate change, digital economic transition, and sustainable economic growth.
Arkhom went on to say that the gathering would also allow Thailand to promote regional economic cooperation and demonstrate its readiness to host international events. Furthermore, the meeting would allow the country to play an important role in supporting the operations of international financial institutions.
Every year in October, the event serves as a forum for member countries to share policies and developments that benefit their respective countries. Thailand will also host the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in 2026.
Morocco will host the annual meeting this year, while Washington will host the meetings in 2024 and 2025. The annual meeting was last held in Bangkok in 1991. During the joint meeting of member countries and leading international financial institutions, parallel meetings will take place.
