Bangkok:Thailand has completed preparations to host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, as announced by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas during a press tour of the venue.

According to Thai News Agency, the event is scheduled for October 12-18 at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) and is set to attract over 15,000 delegates. Attendees will include central bankers, finance ministers, and private sector executives from 191 countries.

Ekniti emphasized that the weeklong event, often referred to as the "Olympics of Finance," is expected to provide an economic boost of 1.05 billion to 2.25 billion baht through tourism, accommodation, and dining. Additionally, Thailand aims to use the summit to enhance its standing as a regional investment hub in sectors such as clean energy, digital infrastructure, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence.

The event's organizers highlighted that preparations include an international-standard control center, continuous CCTV coverage, and extensive security measures with 17 X-ray checkpoints and 19 walk-through gates in collaboration with the Royal Thai Police.

The summit will adhere to "Green Meeting" guidelines, employing over 320 electric vehicles for transportation, utilizing paperless scheduling, and implementing a circular waste management system to minimize carbon emissions.