The International Monetary and Financial Committee called for credible fiscal plans to rebuild buffers while protecting vulnerable people and growth-enhancing investment. At its Bangkok meetings, officials warned that war and disrupted trade routes threaten energy and food security. They also highlighted the particular strain on low-income and fragile countries as inflation and debt risks persist.
The International Monetary and Financial Committee, the International Monetary Fund’s advisory body, called for fiscal consolidation that protects vulnerable people and prioritises investment supporting productivity and growth. At the annual meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, committee chair Mohammed Aljadaan urged credible medium-term fiscal plans to rebuild financial buffers.[1], [2]
Aljadaan said wars imposed a heavy humanitarian toll alongside economic costs and spillovers. Disruption to critical waterways and trade routes threatened energy and food security. He described low-income countries and fragile states as particularly exposed to these challenges. The committee’s statement also warned that supply-chain disruption added uncertainty and price pressure.[1], [2]
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva described both optimism and worry among members. She highlighted the global economy’s resilience, the promise of artificial intelligence and Asia’s dynamism, alongside concerns about inflation, high debt and climate risks. She warned about dependence on the AI boom as a principal growth driver and called for cooperation between governments, AI companies and other stakeholders to protect people and businesses.[1]
