DEPUTY Prime Minister-cum-Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas will be joining four economic discussion forums and around 30 bilateral meetings with economic leaders and representatives from international financial institutions during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank which Thailand is hosting and runs from Tuesday Oct. 13 to Saturday Oct. 17, Amarin TV said today (Oct. 11).
These engagements aim to exchange strategies for addressing global economic risks and to expand Thailand’s economic and investment cooperation.
A key event is the forum titled “Building Resilience in a Fragmented World,” hosted by the Thai Finance Ministry on Tuesday (Oct. 13) at 1.30-2.30 p.m. Ekniti will exchange perspectives with Finland’s Finance Minister Riikka Purra, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and World Bank President Ajay Banga on strategies to strengthen economic resilience amidst international conflicts, trade uncertainties, and risks affecting global economic stability.
The discussions will focus on how nations should adjust their economic policies to cope with rising risks without compromising long-term growth prospects. Additionally, the event offers a valuable opportunity for Thailand to directly present its initiatives on building economic resilience to leaders of international financial institutions.
On the same day, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., the “Bangkok 1991–2026” session will take place, bringing together leading Thai economists to reflect on economic developments over the past 35 years—dating back to when Thailand first hosted the IMF–World Bank meetings in 1991.
The session aims to analyse how the Thai economy has evolved, identify the constraints that have slowed growth, and determine how Thailand must restructure its economy and generate new growth drivers to meet future competitive challenges and industrial shifts.
On Thursday (Oct. 15), from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., Ekniti is scheduled to participate in the “Flagship Global Debate.” This forum facilitates an exchange of views among global economic leaders regarding the direction of the international economy, covering key issues such as public debt, energy price volatility, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on production, investment, and economic competitiveness.
In addition to these sessions, Ekniti is scheduled to hold approximately 30 bilateral meetings with economic leaders and representatives from international financial institutions throughout the conference. These meetings aim to discuss cooperation on economic policy, investment, and national development, as well as to present the outlook of the Thai economy to international partners.
Bilateral discussions are a crucial component of this conference, as they provide an opportunity for Thailand to engage directly with international partners on economic policy, investment, and strategies to enhance national competitiveness.
The outcomes of these discussions and the progress made in various areas of cooperation will be key matters to monitor following the conference.
Towards the conclusion of the conference on Saturday (Oct. 17) from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m., the Finance Ministry is set to host a session to summarise the outcomes and hold a “Bangkok Dialogue Notes” press conference. This event aims to synthesise key points from the week’s discussions and present concepts Thailand intends to champion in international economic forums—particularly its role as a “Trusted Connector” fostering collaboration between nations and global economic institutions.
For Thailand, the key takeaways from this conference extend beyond the outlook for the global economy; they also encompass strategies to strengthen the domestic economy and revitalise long-term growth.
Furthermore, the outcomes of approximately 30 bilateral meetings, specifically regarding investment cooperation and national development, will be crucial for translating discussions into concrete actions following the event.
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This and Front Page: Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas and his team are gearing up for IMF-World Bank annual meetings. Photos – Amarin TV
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