Business · Markets · 21 hrs ago
IMF and World Bank meetings to focus on energy costs and global risks
Finance and central bank policymakers are gathering in Bangkok for the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The meetings come as the war in the Middle East enters its eighth month and continues to disrupt energy supplies and global trade.
Higher energy costs, persistent inflation and rising public debt are among the main concerns, while investment linked to artificial intelligence may support economic activity.
In September, the IMF kept its forecast for global growth in 2026 at about 3 percent, saying the economy had absorbed the shock better than expected.
But the effects vary across regions, and the IMF may lower forecasts for some economies, including Ukraine and Gulf countries affected by the conflict.
The fund is due to release its global economic and financial stability reports on October 13, followed by its fiscal monitor on October 14.
Those assessments will help show how energy shocks, debt and financial risks could affect economies and markets.
Policymakers are gathering in Bangkok for the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, with energy costs and global risks in focus.
The global economy has absorbed some of the shock from the Middle East war but faces rising energy costs, inflation pressures and growing public debt.
The IMF has identified higher energy costs, public debt and risks linked to the artificial intelligence investment boom as major concerns.
The IMF is due to publish its World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report on October 13.
The meetings come as available oil inventories decline and markets face greater vulnerability to further supply disruptions.
- Who
- Financial and monetary policymakers, alongside the IMF and World Bank.
- What
- The annual meetings will examine energy costs and risks to the global economy.
- When
- The meetings begin on Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Bangkok, Thailand.
- Why
- The global economy faces higher energy costs, inflation pressures, public debt and risks from supply disruptions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The war in the Middle East began.
The annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank begin in Bangkok.
The IMF is due to publish its World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report.
The IMF is due to publish its Fiscal Monitor.
The IMF is due to hold a briefing on the Middle East and Central Asia.
- Location
- Bangkok
- Global growth forecast
- About 3% for 2026, unchanged by the IMF in September
- Oil withdrawn from inventories
- More than 1 billion barrels since the war began
- World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report
- Due October 13
- Fiscal Monitor
- Due October 14
- Middle East and Central Asia briefing
- October 15
Sources
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