The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in the autumn of each year, are formal gatherings of the Boards of Governors––the highest decision-making bodies of the two organizations. As customary, once in every three years the Annual Meetings are held outside the organizations’ Washington D.C. headquarters. The 2012 meeting will mark the second time this event has been held in Japan, with the first such meeting held back in 1964. The year will also mark the 60th anniversary of Japan’s membership to the Fund and the Bank.

As the Annual Meetings are attended by finance ministers, central bank governors, and other principals from around the world, the official events will also be complemented by a large number of bilateral conferences, regular meetings of the G7, G20, G24, G10, Commonwealth minister conferences, and other events. The Annual Meetings gather not only ministers and key government officials, but also members of the private sector, including representatives of financial institutions, as well as the media and civil society organizations (CSOs). A number of seminars and symposiums, being held during the same week, provide additional opportunities for dialogue and networking. This is one of the largest international conferences in the world. During the meetings period, approximately 200 gatherings of all sizes will be held, attended by 10,000 participants. Total attendance including special guests, as well as private sector, media, and CSO representatives is expected to be approximately 20,000.