LIVE: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva at Asia in 2050 conference

Governor and honored guests, good morning. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Asia 2050 conference, jointly organized by the Bank of Thailand and the IMF, with the generous support of the Government of Korea. We are honored to have finance ministers, central bank governors and experts from all over the world here today. Your presence shows how important this dialogue is for the future of our region. This conference also marks a key milestone on the road to Thailand hosting a series of engagements leading us towards the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in October, which Thailand is proud to host for the second time in 35 years.

For decades, the Asia-Pacific region has been the primary engine of global growth. In 2025, our region contributed around 60% of that growth. These achievements were enabled by the momentum of globalization, as deeper integration into global trade and finance tremendously transformed economies across the region. Although globalization has lifted millions out of poverty, we now face a challenging transition. The world is becoming more fragmented and unpredictable. Our populations are aging, and technological shifts are likely to be disruptive. Consequently, the gains from openness are harder to sustain.

The most recent conflicts and intensified geopolitical tensions highlight how unpredictable global events have become and how deeply interconnected the world is. It is clear that retreating inward is not the solution. No country can pursue long-term prosperity in isolation. The question is not if Asia can continue to lead global growth, but how we can do so collectively and sustainably, building on deeper outward engagement. This conference is a platform to explore how renewed integration and greater resilience can sustain growth and stability for both our region and the world.

To navigate these complexities, we need evidence-based policies. The IMF is a vital strategic partner in this respect. Its wide-reaching surveillance framework helps us craft sound policy responses and guide our structural transformations. We look forward to the IMF's continued role as a trusted advisor, helping Asia turn insight into practical policy actions.

Thailand's journey reflects many of these regional trends. To raise productivity, we have focused heavily on strengthening key foundations. An area closely related to the Bank of Thailand's mandate is digital finance. Building on our successful retail payment system, our goal is to achieve safe and inclusive digital finance. By ensuring that digital financial services are secure, accessible and inclusive, we can lay the foundations for households and businesses to prosper. The issue of safe and inclusive digital finance will be a central pillar when Thailand welcomes the 191 member countries of the IMF and World Bank to join the conference in October this year. The insights and partnerships built at this conference will lay the groundwork for those meetings, as we work together to foster a more resilient global economy. I look forward to our discussion today and to welcoming you all back to Bangkok again this coming October. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Governor Vitai, for your insightful remarks. Now please join me in welcoming IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to the stage.