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Finance ministers meet in Thailand as an energy shock and rising interest rates reshape the world economy
The 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October 2026. Every year, finance ministers, central bank governors, bankers, civil society groups and academics gather to discuss the state of the world economy. The IMF also publishes its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO) during the meetings. This year they come during an energy-price shock linked to Middle East conflict and a return of interest-rate hikes in major economies.
The IMF and World Bank were created at the 1944 Bretton Woods conference. Their Boards of Governors, made up of finance ministers and central bank chiefs from member countries, meet once a year. Two years out of three the meetings are held in Washington, D.C. Every third year they move to another member country. Bangkok was chosen in 2023, and Thailand last hosted the meetings in 1991.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | 12–18 October 2026 |
| Host city | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Organisers | IMF and World Bank Group |
| Key reports | World Economic Outlook, Global Financial Stability Report, Fiscal Monitor |
| Main bodies | IMFC (IMF steering committee) and the Development Committee |
The conflict involving Iran that began in February 2026 disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carried roughly a fifth of the world's oil before the war. Brent crude traded above $100 a barrel for long stretches of the summer and early autumn. Oilprice.com reported Brent at about $101 on 5 October.
In the United States, the Federal Reserve raised its policy rate in September 2026 to a range of 3.75%–4%. Fed officials cited energy prices and AI-related demand. US PCE inflation was 3.4% in the 12 months to August, according to Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson.
US GDP grew at an annualised 2.4% in the first half of 2026, with heavy investment in data centres and AI infrastructure supporting activity.
After Bangkok, attention turns to the US Federal Reserve meeting on 27–28 October, the COP31 climate summit in Antalya (9–20 November) and the G20 leaders' summit hosted by the United States in December. Statements made in Bangkok on debt, energy and climate finance will feed into those discussions.
In Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October 2026.
The IMF's twice-yearly report on global growth, inflation and risks, with forecasts for individual countries. It is updated in January and July.
By tradition, every third year the meetings are hosted by another member country to reflect the institutions' global membership.
Indirectly, through policy decisions on lending, debt relief and economic advice that shape budgets, interest rates and jobs in member countries.
The Bangkok meetings come at a difficult moment: oil is expensive, central banks are tightening again, and the poorest countries face high borrowing costs. The forecasts and agreements that come out of this week will shape the policy debate for the rest of 2026 and into 2027.
