World · 2 hrs ago
IMF and World Bank meet in Bangkok amid energy and debt concerns
Finance officials from around the world are meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, for the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
The meetings run from October 12 to 18 and are being held outside Washington for the first time in three years.
The talks come as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupts energy supplies and raises concerns about inflation.
The World Bank says the global economy has held up better than feared, but higher fuel and fertilizer costs and possible severe El Niño weather could add pressure.
The IMF has also warned that global public debt is at its highest level since World War II and could exceed the size of the world economy before 2030.
High borrowing costs and rising food and energy prices leave developing and low-income countries especially exposed.
The World Bank has not lowered its global growth forecast, but says it is monitoring developments.
Finance officials have gathered in Bangkok for the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, running from October 12 to 18.
The talks are taking place amid concerns about the Middle East war, rising energy prices and growing government debt.
The IMF warned that global public debt has reached its highest level since World War II and could exceed 100% of global GDP before 2030.
The World Bank said it has not lowered its global growth forecast, while monitoring the economic impact of energy costs, debt and weather risks.
About 18,000 people have registered for the meetings, according to IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
- Who
- Finance officials and representatives of the IMF and World Bank are meeting.
- What
- They are holding their annual meetings amid concerns about energy prices, war and government debt.
- When
- October 12 to 18, 2026.
- Where
- Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Why
- The meetings address global economic pressures, including the effects of the Middle East war, rising energy costs and debt.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The previous annual meetings held outside Washington took place in Morocco.
The war began, according to the article.
The IMF and World Bank held their annual meetings in Bangkok.
- Meeting venue
- Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok
- Meeting dates
- October 12–18, 2026
- Registered attendees
- About 18,000
- IMF global growth forecast
- 3% in 2026
- Global public debt
- At its highest level since World War II; projected to exceed 100% of global GDP before 2030
Sources
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