Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has emphasized international cooperation to unlock opportunities and benefit people, while strengthening the global economy amid the changing world.

The Prime Minister presided over the opening of the 2026 Annual Meetings Plenary of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on 16 October 2026.

Speaking at the meetings plenary, he noted that the theme of the 2026 IMF-WBG Annual Meetings “Thailand’s New Horizon: Empowering People, Building Resilience” does not merely reflect the future of Thailand, but the shared future of the global community. Responding to change requires connectivity built on trust, including free trade, access to technology and financial resources, as well as cooperation that opens doors for countries to learn and grow together.

The Prime Minister said, “We invite the IMF, the World Bank, and our partner countries to turn dialogue into cooperation, and financial resources into opportunity, and ensure that the decisions from these meetings lead to a stronger economy and create better opportunities for our people.”

In conclusion, he stated that just as Ayutthaya connected Thailand to the world in the past, today Bangkok can help connect various nations toward a shared goal: ensuring the global economy creates greater benefits for more people. 

The Prime Minister also encouraged all parties to make the Annual Meetings meaningful and to bring about tangible benefits for the citizens of every country.