BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is stepping up preparations to host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with public communication and citizen engagement among the key priorities. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas chaired the first meeting of the subcommittee overseeing protocol and administrative preparations at the Ministry of Finance. The meeting reviewed overall progress and discussed a nationwide communications plan to increase public awareness of the event. Public Relations Department Director-General Sudruethai Lertkasem proposed using the department’s nationwide network to inform the public about the meetings and their expected benefits for Thailand.
The subcommittee approved the communications strategy, reviewed progress across key areas of preparation, and instructed relevant agencies to continue work in line with the established timeline. The 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings will take place from October 12 to 18, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. The event is expected to welcome more than 15,000 delegates from over 190 member countries and will be the first time in more than 35 years that Thailand has hosted the annual meetings. (NNT)
