Daily Briefing 14 October 2026

The 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group and Related Meetings

14 October 2026

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok

The third day of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, 14 October 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, featured joint dialogues to strengthen international cooperation amid heightened global economic uncertainty. Key engagements included joint discussions among ASEAN, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The day was also marked by the official global launch of the “Bangkok Blueprint” policy framework to counter digital financial fraud, as well as the release of major economic and fiscal policy reports. Key highlights are summarized below:

1. The 57th Joint IMF-WBG Southeast Asia Voting Group (SEAVG) Briefing

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, chaired the 57th Joint IMF-WBG SEAVG Briefing, joined by Mr. Piti Disyatat, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand, alongside member country delegates. The meeting exchanged views on the global and regional economic outlook amid risks stemming from geopolitical conflicts, elevated energy prices, higher financing costs, and the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The discussions emphasized safeguarding economic and financial stability, fostering private-sector-led growth, and strengthening international cooperation.

The meeting also addressed the impact of AI on Asian labor markets—both opportunities for productivity gains and risks to employment—as well as the World Bank Group’s role in mobilizing private capital to generate jobs. This includes expanding guarantee instruments, streamlining project approvals, and building economic resilience to navigate technological risks and climate change.

In addition, during the Joint IMF-WBG SEAVG luncheon, Dr. Ekniti held a bilateral meeting with Suahasil Nazara, Vice Minister of Finance of Indonesia, to strengthen bilateral ties and economic cooperation. They exchanged views on enhancing trade and investment linkages, boosting competitiveness, creating shared economic growth opportunities, and reinforcing ASEAN’s regional connectivity and economic resilience.

2. Bangkok Blueprint for Fraud-Resilient Financial Services

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Mr. Vitai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, jointly delivered opening remarks to launch the “Bangkok Blueprint for Fraud-Resilient Financial Services” to establish an international cooperation framework for preventing and tackling digital financial crimes. Dr. Ekniti emphasized that financial crimes are complex and cross-border, with victims, scammers, and fund flows often spanning multiple jurisdictions. Consequently, coordinated action across all sectors—governments, financial institutions, telecommunication providers, and digital platforms—is crucial to stop fraud at its source, trace illicit financial flows, and provide swift support to victims.

Mr. Vitai highlighted the objectives, principles, and operational pathways of the Bangkok Blueprint, initiated by the Bank of Thailand in collaboration with the IMF and the World Bank Group. Built upon real-world practical lessons, the blueprint serves as a policy compass adaptable to each country's specific context across three core areas: (1) a whole-of-ecosystem approach where all key stakeholders share responsibility, (2) concrete international cooperation to tackle cross-border financial crimes, and (3) an input for standard-setting bodies to establish international best practices.

The Bangkok Blueprint will complement Thailand's “Connect the Dots” framework, which links financial transaction data across domestic agencies to detect suspicious activity and intercept money trails, scaling this into cross-border information-sharing frameworks across 5 pillars and 12 actionable principles. In addition, the “Bangkok Blueprint in Action” compendium, co-developed by the Bank of Thailand and the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER), was presented to showcase practical case studies from Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Dr. Ekniti concluded that because financial crimes know no borders, enforcement and prevention must transcend borders as well to build a secure financial system and restore public trust worldwide.

3. IMF Managing Director Press Briefing on the Global Policy Agenda

Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director, noted that while the global economy has demonstrated resilience amid uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, economic policy moving forward should prioritize: (1) safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability through appropriate monetary and fiscal policy mix and strong supervisory oversight; (2) promoting private-sector-led growth through structural reforms, enabling business climate, human capital investment, and digital technology adoption paired with prudent risk management; and (3) strengthening international cooperation to counter digital financial threats, address global imbalances, and manage trade frictions. The IMF is refining its surveillance and policy design to assist members more effectively in navigating an unpredictable global environment. Ms. Georgieva also expressed her gratitude to Thailand as the host country for its warm hospitality and excellent organization across all dimensions.

4. Fiscal Monitor (FM)

The IMF released its Fiscal Monitor report, warning that fiscal vulnerabilities are mounting as countries face constraints from elevated public debt, higher borrowing costs, and narrowing fiscal space. In response, the IMF outlined three core policy recommendations: (1) reforming tax systems and public expenditure structures to be more growth-friendly while reducing economic distortions; (2) for high-debt economies, initiating credible and realistic fiscal consolidation without delay; and (3) keeping energy support measures well-targeted, temporary, and limited in scope.

5. IIF Annual Meeting

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, participated in an “In Conversation” session with Tim Adams, President and CEO of the Institute of International Finance (IIF), at the IIF Annual Membership Meeting 2026 under the theme “Growth, Risk, and the New Map of Global Finance” at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok. He outlined Thailand's economic and fiscal directions under the STI Strategy (Stabilise–Transition–Invest), aimed at maintaining near-term stability, accelerating structural transitions, and investing for future growth to navigate global volatility, geopolitical frictions, and technological shifts while maintaining fiscal discipline and targeted social assistance.

Dr. Ekniti also detailed Thailand's roadmap for Investment-led Growth, focusing on clean energy, AI, and advanced electronics, while ensuring foreign direct investments foster local job creation, technology transfer, and domestic enterprise development. He emphasized mobilizing capital through the private sector, financial institutions, and capital markets, alongside Thailand’s strategic role as a “Trusted Connector” linking ASEAN to the global economy to turn volatility into sustainable growth opportunities.

6. Bilateral Meetings

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, held a bilateral meeting with Dato Dr. Amin Liew Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam, to strengthen bilateral ties. They focused on advancing joint investment cooperation between Thailand's Government Pension Fund (GPF) and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) under their 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in order to seek investment opportunities and create long-term financial connectivity between Thailand and Brunei. In addition, both sides discussed ways to stabilize trade in agricultural and food products to enhance food security and supply chain continuity between the two nations amid global economic volatility, while promoting knowledge transfer and sharing experience in Islamic Finance by expanding cooperation between the Islamic Bank of Thailand (iBank) and Bruneian financial institutions to develop personnel capabilities and financial products, as well as to increase sustainable economic and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The MoU aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in financial services, covering sustainable finance, financial technology (FinTech), mutual funds, capital markets, banking, and insurance, as well as the sharing of experience in financial innovation and regulatory frameworks, to foster an efficient financial sector capable of navigating economic transitions. Under this partnership, both sides will promote information and knowledge exchange, conduct training sessions and seminars to build the practical capacity of financial personnel, and explore joint investment opportunities. This will enhance connectivity between the financial sectors and capital markets of Thailand and Luxembourg, serving as a gateway linking ASEAN and European financial markets. This cooperation marks a significant step forward in deepening financial relations between the two nations and integrating Thailand’s capital market more closely with international financial systems, thereby expanding fundraising and investment opportunities to support Thailand's long-term economic growth.

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, held a bilateral meeting with Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore, to deepen bilateral ties and advance economic and financial cooperation. Both sides exchanged perspectives on global economic headwinds amid growing uncertainty and polarization, underscoring the vital importance of preserving economic and financial stability and upholding an open, rules-based international economic order.

The discussions also explored expanding collaboration in green finance, digital finance, and sustainable economic development. The Singaporean delegation outlined the overarching theme for Singapore’s 2027 ASEAN Chairmanship, “Connect, Converge, Catalyse,” which focuses on strengthening regional integration and cooperation. Both parties highlighted the importance of seamless policy continuity between Singapore’s Chairmanship in 2027 and Thailand’s in 2028, aimed at building long-term economic resilience and delivering tangible outcomes for ASEAN.

Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, also met with Lan Fo’an, Minister of Finance of the People's Republic of China, to reinforce Sino-Thai economic and financial partnerships. Both ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening engagement under the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, particularly through high-quality investments that create local employment, develop domestic supply chains, and facilitate technology transfer to Thailand. They agreed to broaden cooperation in future industries—including AI, robotics, semiconductors, smart agriculture, and electric vehicles (EVs)—alongside workforce development and knowledge exchange. Additionally, both sides prioritized stepping up joint enforcement against cross-border cybercrime, particularly disrupting and severing illicit financial flows linked to online scams.

Addressing broader global dynamics, the two leaders exchanged views on pressing structural challenges, including geoeconomic fragmentation, technological disruption and AI, the green energy transition, and shifting demographics. They stressed the need to turn these structural hurdles into shared economic opportunities, particularly by advancing green economy and accelerating investments in renewable energy. Furthermore, Minister Lan Fo’an extended an official invitation to Dr. Ekniti to attend the 33rd APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM), scheduled for 20–21 October 2026 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.

Mr. Vitai Ratanakorn, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, met with Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), to exchange perspectives on macroeconomic and financial developments and discuss areas of mutual cooperation.

The day additionally featured numerous multi-dimensional sessions and side events, including the World Bank Group Flagship session on “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Emerging Markets to Create Jobs,” panel discussions on “Trade Diversification in Turbulent Times,” and forums on “Digital Government & Rethinking Taxation for the AI Era.” Official updates, live streams, and event proceedings are accessible via Facebook “AM2026 Thailand” and the official website at www.am2026thailand.go.th.

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