WASHINGTON, D.C., USA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have announced that their 2026 Annual Meetings will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12–18, 2026.
In a statement released Tuesday, the institutions said hosting the meetings in Bangkok highlights Thailand’s role as a regional and global convening hub, reflecting its economic resilience, institutional progress, and sustained engagement with international partners over the past three decades.
Thailand last hosted the Annual Meetings in 1991. The return of the event after more than three decades underscores the country’s advancement and Asia’s growing influence in shaping the global economic and financial stability agenda.
Reiterating the importance of the Annual Meetings, the IMF and WBG noted that the gatherings bring together central bankers, finance and development ministers, private sector executives, civil society representatives, think tanks, and academics to discuss pressing global issues, including the world economic outlook, financial stability, poverty eradication, inclusive growth, and job creation.
Traditionally, the Annual Meetings are held in Washington, D.C., for two consecutive years, followed by a third year in a member country. This rotation reflects the global nature of the institutions’ membership, fosters closer engagement with regional stakeholders, and provides the host country with a platform to showcase its role in the international economic community.
The IMF/WBG Annual Meetings are among the largest gatherings in global finance and development. They convene finance ministers and central bank governors from the IMF’s 191 member countries, senior government officials, executive directors of the IMF and World Bank, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, academics, and media representatives covering global economic and financial issues.
