Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul officially opened the Plenary Session of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings on 16 October 2026, urging global financial leaders to forge stronger partnerships, empower communities, and adapt to a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Speaking at the newly constructed Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok where Thailand hosted the Annual Meetings 35 years earlier in 1991, Prime Minister Anutin reflected on the profound global transformation that has occurred over the past three and a half decades.
In his address to heads of state, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and central bank governors, the Prime Minister highlighted the stark differences between 1991 and 2026.
He pointed out that while the 1991 meetings took place during an era of expanding economic integration, today’s world faces geopolitical fragmentation that is actively reshaping global trade and investment. Furthermore, environmental protection—once considered an emerging issue in 1991—has escalated into climate change, which he identified as one of the greatest contemporary global challenges.
To address these interconnected pressures, Prime Minister Anutin introduced the summit’s central theme: “Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience”. He emphasized that economic resilience must be anchored in trusted connections, open trade, accessible technology, and sustainable finance partnerships.
He outlined a three-part strategy for Thailand’s role in the global economy, which are connecting markets, connecting capital and connecting technology.
Highlighting Thailand’s strategic position within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Prime Minister emphasized that regional cooperation and global engagement must mutually reinforce each other to generate shared growth.
Prime Minister Anutin stressed that international connections must yield concrete benefits for ordinary citizens by supporting business growth, enhancing workforce skills, and improving daily lives.
“Empowering people means ensuring that more communities can take part in and benefit from economic transformation,” Anutin stated, issuing a direct call to action to delegates: “Let us turn dialogue into partnerships and finance into opportunities.”
Concluding his opening remarks, he urged international delegates to ensure the 2026 Bangkok meetings leave a lasting legacy by aligning countries around a shared purpose—making the global economy work effectively for more people worldwide.
