IMF urges support for poorer nations facing high inflation and war spillovers

At the close of the IMF’s annual meetings in Bangkok, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the fund has a responsibility to help poorer countries facing debt, inflation and price shocks caused by conflicts. She said low-income nations now spend 8 to 14 percent of their revenue on debt repayments as global interest rates rise. These countries are also missing out on the AI investment boom, while higher energy costs hit oil importers particularly hard. Prices have surged since the United States and Israel began their war on Iran in February, disrupting oil and gas flows.