IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026: A global development platform and WHO’s engagement on health

Health is not simply a cost to manage. It is an investment in people and in sustainable development. Preventing disease, ensuring access to essential health services and preparing for emergencies helps people live healthier lives, protect livelihoods and strengthen resilience of communities and societies.

This message was at the centre of WHO’s engagement at the 2026 International Monetary Fund (IMF)–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, held in Bangkok from 12 to 18 October 2026. Hosted by Thailand under the theme “Thailand’s New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience”, the meetings brought together leaders from governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector to address financial stability, poverty reduction, inclusive growth and job creation. It was the second time Thailand hosted the Annual Meetings, 35 years after first welcoming them to Bangkok in 1991. 

The WHO delegation was led by Dr Ailan Li, WHO Representative to Thailand, and included colleagues from WHO headquarters, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme and WHO offices across the Asia-Pacific region.

Opening session of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok. (Photo credit: IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings)

Financing health for sustainable development

As countries face competing development priorities and financial constraints, sustained investment in health remains essential. WHO advocates for evidence-informed financing that strengthens health systems, advances universal health coverage (UHC) and delivers measurable benefits for people's health and wellbeing.

As part of the Annual Meetings, Dr Ailan Li attended the 114th Development Committee meeting on behalf of WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Ms Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, also attended the Development Committee meeting. The meeting focused on mobilizing private capital to support job creation, with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Ekniti Nitithanprapas, representing the Southeast Asia Voting Group.

Discussions emphasized the importance of people-centred development finance, focusing not only on the volume of investment but also on quality jobs, improved livelihoods and stronger human capital.

The Development Committee discusses priorities for global development and financing. (Photo credit: WHO Thailand)

WHO supports evidence-informed health financing, recognizing that private capital can complement public investment when it is aligned with national priorities and contributes to equitable access to services and better health outcomes. Through the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Knowledge Hub, WHO supports countries in translating national health priorities into investment and action.

Dr Matthias Helble, Head of the WHO Tokyo Office and UHC Knowledge Hub, contributed to discussions on developing a common toolkit for health financing, organized by the G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership. At the Devex Impact House, he highlighted the economic case for investing in health and the importance of stronger collaboration between ministries of finance and health. He also joined a discussion on the global health architecture, hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, where he called for greater coordination among global health agencies in support of stronger health systems.

Dr Matthias Helble discusses the economic case for investing in health at the Devex Impact House. (Photo credit: Devex/ Tanakorn Thamrongwattanalert and Jai Taweehan)

Dr Ailan Li was honoured to be invited to the WOMEN LEAD Breakfast and joined discussions on how capital mobilization, employment and economic opportunity can contribute to more inclusive development.

Health beyond the health sector

Beyond health-specific discussions, the wider Annual Meetings programme addressed climate change, food security, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, social protection and economic resilience. Sessions explored climate financing for vulnerable populations, responses to food security shocks, and the implications of new technologies for jobs and public policy.

These issues are closely interconnected with health and health equity. Across the Asia-Pacific region, climate change and environmental degradation are already affecting communities and health systems. Extreme heat, air pollution, floods and rising sea levels can disrupt essential services, threaten livelihoods and place a disproportionate burden on people in vulnerable situations. Food insecurity and social and economic inequalities can deepen these health risks across the life course.

Dr Sandro Demaio, Director and Head of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, also attended the Annual Meetings. WHO underscored the importance of investing in climate-resilient and sustainable health systems, alongside healthier food systems, cities and communities.

Climate action can also improve health and support sustainable development. Investments in clean energy, sustainable transport, cleaner air and healthier food systems can prevent disease, reduce health-care costs and bring wider social and economic benefits. Recognizing these health co-benefits can strengthen the case for climate investment and support decisions on public and private finance.

Supporting healthier lives across the life course

Investing in health also means shifting from treating illness alone to preventing disease and supporting well-being throughout life.

At AARP's high-level roundtable on global ageing, Dr Li shared WHO's perspective that longer lives are one of humanity’s greatest achievements and can create opportunities for individuals, families and societies. Healthy ageing requires integrated care, supportive environments and coordinated action across sectors.

Dr Ailan Li shares WHO’s perspective at a high-level roundtable on global ageing. (Photo credit: AARP International)

Through the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, WHO provides evidence, policy guidance and technical support to countries. In Thailand, WHO works with UN partners through the Joint Offer on the Aged Society.

Investing in preparedness before emergencies

Preparedness must be financed before an emergency strikes. When funding arrives late or unpredictably, countries lose precious time and people in the most vulnerable situations may be the last to receive life-saving support.

To address this, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme and the Secretariat of the Joint Finance and Health Task Force (JFHTF), with support from France, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom, convened a breakfast roundtable on financing medical countermeasures. WHO and financing partners explored how funding for vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics could be made faster, more predictable and more equitable, so that these essential tools reach people wherever an outbreak occurs.

WHO was represented by Tim Nguyen, Unit Head, and Daniel Eibach, Technical Officer for Medical Countermeasures. The JFHTF Secretariat was represented by Serina Ng, Head of the Secretariat, and Ole Emmrich, Project Officer.

Partners discuss more predictable and equitable financing for vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. (Photo credit: WHO)

Strengthening regional vaccine security in South-East Asia

On 14 October, Tim Nguyen represented WHO at a partner alignment discussion on ASEAN vaccine security, convened by the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative (RVMC) with the World Bank Group. ASEAN Member States, government-owned manufacturers and development and technical partners discussed how to strengthen support for the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance (AVSSR) initiative and its Plan of Action 2026–2030.

Participants recognized the region’s growing manufacturing capabilities but stressed that sustainable production depends on the wider ecosystem: predictable demand, practical steps to voluntary pooled procurement, focused product and platform choices, stronger regulatory cooperation, and partner support aligned behind ASEAN-led priorities.

These priorities are aligned with WHO’s work on equitable access to medical countermeasures, and WHO will continue working with ASEAN Member States and partners to support the next phase of the regional initiative.

Partnership for healthier and more resilient societies

WHO appreciates the Government of Thailand for hosting the Annual Meetings, and the IMF, World Bank Group and partners for fostering international dialogue and cooperation.

Guided by science and evidence, WHO continues to work with governments, financial institutions and development partners to strengthen prevention, expand equitable access to essential health services and strengthen preparedness for health emergencies.

Sustained investment in health is a shared responsibility and an essential foundation for healthier people, stronger communities and more resilient economies.

WHO colleagues from across the Organization at the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo credit: WHO Thailand)