Vietnam ramps up financial cooperation, policy dialogue at IMF-WB 2026

The 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12-18 provide Vietnam and other ASEAN members with a platform to discuss the global economic outlook and strengthen cooperation with international financial institutions to support growth, digital transformation and sustainable development.

Vietnam highlights regional financial stability and policy coordination

During the meetings, State Bank of Vietnam Governor Pham Duc An attended a working session between IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and ASEAN finance ministers and central bank governors.

Participants examined the global and regional economic outlook amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty, trade tensions, energy market volatility and mounting public debt pressures.

Although the global economy has demonstrated resilience, the recovery remains uneven. Many vulnerable economies face mounting challenges as higher borrowing costs and elevated public debt continue to constrain their policy space.

In this context, participants highlighted the importance of macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, stronger policy buffers and multilateral cooperation. Digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) were also recognised as emerging drivers of growth and economic resilience.

The Vietnamese delegation praised the IMF’s role in economic surveillance, policy advice and capacity development for member countries. Governor Pham Duc An highlighted the complementary roles of global and regional financial arrangements, including the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO).

Technical assistance in financial technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity and risk management was also recognised as an important contribution to strengthening the regional financial safety net and improving the capacity to respond to economic shocks.

At the 57th Joint Governors' Meeting of the IMF-WBG Southeast Asia Voting Group (SEAVG), Vietnam and other members expressed their expectation that the two institutions would continue to modernise their operations and improve their effectiveness. The IMF was encouraged to strengthen macroeconomic surveillance, policy advice, technical assistance and governance reform, while the World Bank was expected to maintain its focus on mobilising resources for infrastructure, digital transformation, green growth and private investment.

Vietnam expands financial cooperation with international partners

On the sidelines of the meetings, Governor Pham Duc An met Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department. Their discussions covered the global, regional and Vietnamese economic outlook, as well as challenges facing economic policymaking.

An affirmed that the State Bank of Vietnam would continue to conduct monetary policy proactively and flexibly to control inflation, maintain macroeconomic stability and safeguard the banking system. Vietnam also expressed its interest in expanding policy dialogue and technical cooperation with the IMF.

In a separate meeting with Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the two sides reviewed cooperation between the State Bank of Vietnam and MAS and discussed potential areas for further collaboration, including cross-border payment connectivity, digital banking, financial technology and financial inclusion.

The Vietnamese governor expressed his desire to advance joint initiatives through bilateral and ASEAN frameworks to improve access to financial services for individuals and businesses.

An also met Emmanuel Moulin, Governor of the Banque de France, and Sarvesh Suri, IFC’s Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific.

During the meeting with the French central bank governor, the two sides exchanged experience in monetary policy management and the handling of emerging financial risks. They also discussed developments in digital currencies, financial technology and payment infrastructure.

In talks with Suri, the governor proposed that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, continue helping Vietnam mobilise long-term capital, strengthen financial institutions and promote private investment in key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and financial inclusion.

The 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, leaders of international financial institutions and representatives of the institutions’ 191 member countries. Thailand is hosting the meetings for the first time since 1991, underscoring Asia’s growing role in the global economy and international financial system.

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