Business · Economy · 2 hrs ago
IMF Members Call for More Support for Countries Hit by War and High Energy Prices
At a meeting in Bangkok, IMF members called for more support for countries facing financing strains.
They said wars and high energy prices can create short-term funding problems, especially for countries affected by spillovers from conflict.
The members warned that escalating conflicts and trade tensions could disrupt important trade routes and worsen energy and food security.
They also said risks from advanced intelligence technologies could add to economic vulnerabilities, alongside rising bond yields and other pressures.
The IMF’s steering committee agreed to support countries that pursue reforms and address debt risks, with particular attention to low-income, vulnerable middle-income and conflict-affected countries.
The members encouraged more help for countries with sustainable debt and strong reform plans, and some said they would support an IMF trust that assists poor and developing countries.
IMF member countries called for more support for countries facing short-term financing challenges linked to war spillovers and high energy prices.
The members said economic risks remained tilted to the downside.
They warned that escalating conflicts and trade tensions could disrupt trade routes and worsen energy and food security.
The statement also said advanced intelligence technologies could bring risks alongside their boost to investment and trade.
Members agreed to support countries pursuing reforms and addressing debt vulnerabilities, with particular attention to poorer, vulnerable and conflict-affected countries.
- Who
- International Monetary Fund member countries, whose steering committee has 191 members.
- What
- They called for more support for countries facing short-term financing challenges caused by war spillovers and high energy prices.
- When
- October 17, 2026.
- Where
- At a meeting in Bangkok.
- Why
- Wars and high energy prices were creating short-term financing challenges, while risks to the economic outlook remained tilted to the downside.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The United States pressed fellow IMF members to rename artificial intelligence as super intelligence in the statement, a senior US Treasury official told Reuters.
IMF members met in Bangkok and called for increased support for countries facing financing challenges.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan issued the chair's statement, which said all members had agreed to its wording.
- IMF membership
- 191 member countries
- Meeting location
- Bangkok
- Meeting date
- October 17, 2026
- Support focus
- Countries facing short-term financing challenges from war spillovers and high energy prices
- IMF trust
- Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust supports poor and developing countries
3 sources
What people are saying
Escalating conflicts and trade tensions could further disrupt critical trade routes, exacerbate commodity price pressures, including in refined energy products, and worsen energy and food security
We encourage increasing support to countries with sustainable debt and strong reform and growth enhancing agenda, but facing short-term financing challenges