Annual Meetings - Public events coming to World Bank Live (+++++)

https://live.worldbank.org/en/series/2026/annual-meetings October 11, 2026 Small AI, Real Jobs | Annual Meetings 2026 Small AI, Real Jobs | Annual Meetings 2026 Civil Society Townhall with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/annual-meetings-small-ai-big-jobs Artificial intelligence is already changing how farmers grow food, businesses operate, and governments deliver services. For developing countries, the biggest opportunities may not come from frontier models but from Small AI: practical, affordable applications designed for local languages, infrastructure, and budgets. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will join leaders, innovators, and governments to explore how countries can move from promising pilots to widespread impact and harness AI not just as a technological innovation, but as a tool for job creation. October 12, 2026 Civil Society Townhall with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga Civil Society Townhall with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga MSME Finance: Leveraging Data for Jobs | Annual Meetings 2026 https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/annual-meetings-civil-society-townhall In his fourth Townhall with civil society, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will share updates on recent developments at the institution and engage directly with civil society representatives attending the Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. The Townhall — an integral part of the IMF -WBG Annual Meetings — offers members of civil society a unique opportunity for open dialogue with the President and the WBG's senior leadership, both in person and online. Joined by the Managing Directors, President Banga will take questions from the room and from the online audience. October 13, 2026 MSME Finance: Leveraging Data for Jobs | Annual Meetings 2026 https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/annual-meetings-finance-for-micro-small-medium-businesses Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are the primary engine of job creation and economic activity in developing economies. They account for 9 in 10 businesses, and three-quarters of workers. Over the next 10–15 years, around 1.2 billion people will reach working age in developing countries. Enabling the full potential of MSMEs will be essential to creating the jobs and economic opportunities needed for this growing workforce. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will join policymakers, regulators, and financial experts to discuss how digital and data-based solutions are potential gamechangers for MSMEs to become more visible, connected, enabled, and funded at scale. 2026 ANNUAL MEETINGS Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Emerging Markets to Create Jobs Wednesday, October 14, 2026 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ICT (local time) https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/annual-meetings-unlocking-investment-for-jobs What will it take to bring more private investment to emerging markets? World Bank Group President Ajay Banga will join investors, regulators, insurers, and development finance leaders to discuss how capital markets, local currency financing, guarantees, securitization, and policy reforms can reduce risk and create new investment opportunities. The conversation will look at how mobilizing more private capital can support businesses, economic growth, and job creation. 2026 ANNUAL MEETINGS 2026 Annual Meetings Plenary Friday, October 16, 2026 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. ICT (local time) https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/annual-meetings-plenary Annual Meetings Chairman, Carlos Carvallo Spalding, President of the Central Bank of Paraguay, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva speak at the October 16 plenary session of the Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.