Bangkok:Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed optimism that the IMF-World Bank 2026 meeting will enhance citizens' access to an efficient economic and financial system. He made these remarks during the conference's official opening at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted the historical significance of Ayutthaya as a thriving economic center during its period, emphasizing its excellence in international trade and diplomacy, which connected the Eastern and Western worlds. He noted that while Thailand last hosted the annual meeting of the IMF-World Bank in 1991, the current meeting in Bangkok occurs in a context marked by shifting geopolitical divisions and climate change challenges that require collective global action.
Prime Minister Anutin pointed out that Thailand's strategic position could facilitate cross-regional market connections, providing access to capital, opportunities, and technology, especially within ASEAN. This role may enable Thailand to foster regional partnerships and participate in global trade, investment, and development initiatives, ultimately benefiting businesses, enhancing skills, and improving lives.
He stressed the importance of public participation in reaping the benefits of economic changes. The IMF and World Bank, he argued, must evolve negotiations into partnerships and transform finance into opportunities, ensuring that decisions made during the meeting result in stronger economies and better opportunities for people. Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the meeting would be impactful for all nations and anticipated a reunion in 35 years.