IMF chief to take King Bhumibol’s teachings to Washington after Bangkok meetings
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva praises Thailand’s progress over 35 years and hospitality as the country hosts the 2026 IMF–World Bank meetings
- IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced she will take the teachings of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej back to Washington to inspire the Fund's work.
- The specific teaching she quoted emphasizes that positive outcomes require gradual, sustained effort over time and do not happen on their own.
- The statement was made in Bangkok following the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group, where Georgieva praised Thailand's successful hosting and hospitality.
- Georgieva cited Thailand's significant economic transformation over the past 35 years as proof that good policies and strong institutions can improve opportunities for people.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the Fund’s delegation would take the teachings of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great back to Washington as inspiration for its work, while praising Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group.
Georgieva was speaking in Bangkok on October 17 alongside Mohammed Al-Jadaan, chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), at a briefing on the committee’s discussions.
Georgieva thanked Thailand for enabling delegates to take the late King’s valuable teachings home with them, emphasising the sustained effort needed to achieve lasting results.
“These are the words we will take back to Washington: Benefits and positive outcomes do not arise on their own. Rather, they must be gradually cultivated, accumulated, and strengthened over time,” Georgieva said.
“Our work never ends, and we will take this back to inspire our people,” Georgieva added.
Thailand’s hospitality helps make meetings productive
Georgieva congratulated Thailand on its highly successful hosting of the Annual Meetings, saying the welcoming atmosphere had helped make discussions productive at a complicated moment for the world.
“The whole world has benefited from Thailand’s generous hospitality,” Georgieva said.
Georgieva also praised Thailand’s moral strength and generosity, saying the warm welcome extended to people from around the world had helped put anxious delegates at ease. In a lighter remark, Georgieva complimented the Thai prime minister’s saxophone playing.
Georgieva highlights Thailand’s transformation over 35 years
Georgieva said Thailand had changed considerably since last hosting the Annual Meetings 35 years ago. The country now showed greater dynamism, strong production capacity and integration into global artificial intelligence (AI) supply chains, with a sense of energy evident everywhere.
“This shows that, with good policies and strong institutions, countries can improve opportunities for their people. Thailand is proof of that,” Georgieva said.
IMFC chair says Thailand has set a high standard for future hosts
IMFC chair Mohammed Al-Jadaan said Thailand’s hospitality would be difficult for future hosts to match. Although much had changed over 35 years, Thailand remained the Land of Smiles, with people who were generous and genuinely welcoming.
“You are making life very difficult for future hosts because you have set the bar so high. Whoever hosts next will face a major challenge,” Al-Jadaan said.
The briefing closed with the response, “Your invitation has been accepted,” to the Thai prime minister’s invitation to return in another 35 years. In his plenary address on October 16, the prime minister had noted that Thailand welcomed delegates 35 years earlier, was hosting them again this year and would welcome them back in another 35 years.
