BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas has shared the key points during the “Bangkok Dialogue Notes” session at the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the country’s immediate gain is strong positive momentum and a unified direction among international delegates, policymakers, central bankers, and private sector leaders.
Beyond earning global recognition for Thailand’s capacity to host what is widely considered the “Olympics of finance,” the event gave Thailand an opportunity to demonstrate genuine leadership by setting the agenda alongside the IMF and World Bank and helping countries navigate economic challenges together.
Furthermore, Thailand established itself as a trusted connector, bringing together 191 partner nations in a spirit of shared vision, responsibility, and collaboration to improve lives worldwide.
Reflecting on the main takeaways from the past days of intensive sessions, Ekniti outlined the primary sources of global economic uncertainty, or “rough waters”, facing nations today. Key issues highlighted during the discussions included growing geopolitical fragmentation; the risks and opportunities of rising artificial intelligence; persistent increases in global energy prices; elevated interest rates driven by fiscal instability; and mounting climate risks.
To address these challenges, policymakers and leaders exchanged practical strategies; for instance, on rising energy costs, Thailand stressed replacing broad-based subsidies with targeted support for vulnerable populations to preserve limited fiscal space, while accelerating the national transition to renewable energy. (NNT)
