Thailand is hosting the International Public Procurement Conference 2026 (IPPC 2026) in Bangkok from April 27-29, aiming to transform public procurement from a purely cost-driven function to a strategic tool for economic and social development. Co-hosted by Thailand’s Comptroller General’s Department, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, the conference will bring together policymakers, development institutions, and experts from East Asia and the Pacific. Under the theme “Procurement for Prosperity: Driving Jobs, Innovation, and Impact in East Asia and Pacific,” discussions will focus on leveraging digital transformation, including AI and data analytics, to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in procurement. The event seeks to create jobs, stimulate innovation, strengthen local industries, and support sustainable growth amidst economic uncertainties and global supply disruptions, building on previous conferences in Seoul and Manila.