World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
G20 finance chiefs meet in Bangkok amid economic uncertainty
G20 finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting in Bangkok to assess the world economy.
The discussions come as conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy supplies and pushes up prices.
Higher energy costs, inflation and interest rates are putting pressure on households, governments and businesses.
The G20 brings together major advanced and emerging economies, including the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
Ministers are also expected to discuss global growth risks and concerns about China exporting large volumes of goods at low prices.
The meeting is unlikely to produce a joint statement, after members could not agree on one at their previous gathering.
The talks will help shape the agenda for the G20 leaders’ summit in Miami on December 14 and 15.
G20 finance ministers and central bank governors met in Bangkok on Thursday to assess the global economic outlook.
The discussions took place amid inflation, rising interest rates, market volatility and economic uncertainty.
The Middle East conflict and elevated energy prices were expected to feature prominently.
The meetings were held alongside the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, running from October 12 to October 18.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent skipped the meeting, with the United States represented by other officials.
- Who
- Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G20 major economies.
- What
- They met to assess the global economic outlook amid economic uncertainty.
- When
- Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Bangkok, Thailand.
- Why
- To discuss economic conditions including inflation, market volatility and risks linked to the Middle East conflict.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Participants at the previous G20 finance meeting in Asheville failed to agree on a joint statement after China objected to language on trade and other issues.
The IMF and World Bank held their annual meetings in Bangkok.
G20 finance ministers and central bank governors met in Bangkok to assess the global economic outlook.
- Location
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Meeting date
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
- Annual meetings
- IMF and World Bank meetings ran from October 12 to October 18
- US representative
- Deputy Secretary Francis Brooke and Undersecretary for International Affairs Erin Browne
- Oil prices
- Crude oil prices exceeded $100 a barrel for much of the past eight months
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What people are saying
The war in the Middle East is having a devastating economic impact and is pushing up fuel prices, inflation and interest rates around the world