5 August 2026
The Islamic Bank of Thailand (ibank), led by Dr. Thaweelap Rittapirom, Director and President, together with the Bank’s executives, met with H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to seek support of the organization of ibank’s Affiliated Programs for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, which Thailand is honoured to host from October 12-18, 2026 in Bangkok. The Affiliated Programs has already received official approval from the Ministry of Finance. During the meeting, ibank sought the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ support in strengthening international engagement and coordinating with global partners to enhance the programme’s impact and showcase Thailand’s capabilities to the international community.
The Affiliated Programs represents a significant milestone for Thailand as the country hosts the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group for the first time in over 35 years. It also marks the first occasion on which the Islamic Bank of Thailand has been selected to organise an Official Affiliated Programs, reinforcing Thailand’s growing role in the global Islamic finance ecosystem while highlighting the country’s commitment to international economic cooperation and sustainable development. The program will take place on October 14, 2026 under the theme “Islamic Finance: From Crisis Resilience to Transition Finance,” the event will provide a platform for policymakers, financial institutions, academics and international organisations to exchange perspectives on how Islamic finance can contribute to economic resilience and mobilise capital to support sustainable transition and long-term development.
The programme is expected to bring together senior representatives from Malaysia and Indonesia, two regional leaders in Islamic finance and members of the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), to strengthen regional collaboration and knowledge sharing. The Bank also plans to invite senior executives from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), as well as leading financial institutions from member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with the objective of expanding strategic partnerships across the global Islamic finance community.
For Thailand, the event will be honoured by keynote addresses from His Eminence the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand and the senior executive from the Minister of Finance, who will share their vision on the role of Islamic finance in advancing sustainable economic development and strengthening Thailand’s position within the regional and global Islamic finance landscape. Although Thailand is not a Muslim-majority country, it possesses strong potential to develop a comprehensive Halal Ecosystem. As the country’s only state-owned Islamic financial institution, ibank plays a pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurs, expanding access to Shariah-compliant financial services, and fostering international partnerships, thereby contributing to Thailand’s aspiration to become a regional Halal Hub.
Dr. Thaweelap Rittapirom, said: “Hosting the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group presents Thailand with a unique opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities and leadership on the global economic stage. For ibank, this is far more than an affiliate event—it is an opportunity to showcase Thailand’s Islamic finance potential, strengthen partnerships with international financial institutions, and deepen regional cooperation, particularly within the IMT-GT framework and with GCC countries. We believe this initiative will elevate Thailand’s role in the global Islamic finance ecosystem, strengthen international confidence, and create new opportunities for the Thai economy in the years ahead.”
H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, stated: “Thailand’s privilege of hosting the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the country’s readiness and capabilities to the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to support the Islamic Bank of Thailand in every possible way, particularly in facilitating engagement with international organisations and global partners, to ensure the success of this Affiliate Program. We are confident that the event will not only reinforce Thailand’s role in promoting international economic and financial cooperation but also strengthen confidence among international participants in Thailand’s capabilities as host of this prestigious global event.”
The meeting reflects close collaboration between the Islamic Bank of Thailand, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in leveraging Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group to enhance the country’s international profile. By promoting Islamic finance as a platform for sustainable development and strengthening cooperation among ASEAN, the Middle East and the wider global community, the initiative is expected to enhance Thailand’s international standing, expand economic opportunities, and further advance the country’s Halal Ecosystem in line with ibank’s mission of promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development through Islamic finance.
