Dr. Ekniti highlights three key elements: 'infrastructure, human resources, and reform' to drive sustainable growth in Asia.

Dr. Ekniti participated in the Asia in 2050 forum, highlighting three strategies: 'infrastructure, human capital, and reform.' He also pledged to join forces with the IMF to drive the Asian economy towards sustainability and affirmed Thailand's readiness to host the IMF-WBG General Assembly in 2026.

On March 6, 2569, Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, participated in a discussion with world policy leaders on the topic of “Asia in 2050 The High Level Policy Roundtable Policy Challenges for Asia Going Forward” featured a panel discussion with (1) Mr. Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance of Malaysia, (2) Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and (3) Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), moderated by Ms. Haslinda Amin from Bloomberg News.

This forum is an important platform for exchanging views on the future direction of the Asian economy, amidst global economic challenges stemming from geopolitical tensions, changes in the global trading system, emerging technologies, and risks from climate change.

Dr. Ekniti stated, “Increasing global economic tensions are significantly reshaping the Asian economic landscape in new ways, but the most crucial foundation for sustainable growth remains macroeconomic stability.” He further added that digital infrastructure is a key factor in deepening regional economic integration, and that addressing climate risks and disaster management in Asia requires stronger regional coordination and cooperation.

Dr. Ekniti also emphasized that Asia needs to accelerate investment in three key areas: infrastructure, human capital, and structural reform, to support long-term growth and enhance the region's competitiveness. In Thailand, the government is continuously driving human capital development through the Skill Bridge Program to upgrade the skills of Thai people to meet the demands of the modern economy.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kristalina stated that Asia has laid a strong foundation for growth, innovation, and creativity, enabling societies to consolidate and be resilient in the face of past crises. She emphasized the need to create jobs so that young people can fully contribute to the economic workforce.

Dr. Kristalina also pointed out that Asia is at the forefront of technological innovation, particularly the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly enhance the region's productivity. She added that effective climate risk management is crucial for strengthening Asia's long-term resilience, and governments should recognize that trust within society is a vital asset for sustainable development.

In the dimension of regional cooperation, Dr. Kristalina sees ASEAN's economic integration as a crucial but underutilized source of growth. Reducing non-tariff trade barriers could boost the region's GDP by approximately 4 percent. She also suggested that Asian countries accelerate the deepening of their capital markets to support economic growth, innovation, and dynamism.

This participation reflects Thailand's role in shaping the region's economic direction and underscores its commitment to promoting economic cooperation to create stable, sustainable, and inclusive growth for Asia in the future.

On this occasion, Dr. Ekniti confirmed Thailand's readiness to host the 2026 IMF-WBG Annual Meetings, scheduled to be held from October 12–18, 2569, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, under the theme "Thailand's New Horizon: Empowering People, Building Resilience." This reflects Thailand's commitment to supporting multilateral cooperation, strengthening the capacity of its people, and enhancing economic resilience to meet future challenges.