The International Monetary and Financial Committee published the chair’s statement agreed at its 54th meeting, warning that the global economy’s better than expected resilience cannot be taken for granted because policy buffers have eroded and risks remain tilted to the downside. Members called for urgent action on fiscal vulnerabilities, credible medium-term consolidation frameworks and continued multilateral cooperation, while protecting vulnerable groups and productivity-enhancing investment. Central banks should remain focused on price stability, adjust policy based on data and preserve their independence to maintain credibility and anchored inflation expectations. Members also backed adherence to international standards, closer monitoring of financial vulnerabilities and the Bangkok Blueprint on digital finance safeguards, cyber resilience and digital fraud. The statement highlighted risks from conflicts, trade and supply chain disruption, high public debt, rising sovereign bond yields and uncertainty surrounding advanced intelligence technologies, while supporting reforms to harness those technologies and digitalization for productivity gains. The committee called for more predictable and timely sovereign debt restructurings, greater debt transparency from all creditors and faster implementation of the IMF-World Bank Group 3-Pillar Approach for countries facing short-term financing pressures. It welcomed recently approved IMF reviews covering surveillance, debt analysis, lending and capacity development, urged completion of domestic approvals for the quota increase under the 16th General Review of Quotas and said the Diriyah Guiding Principles would inform future quota and governance discussions.
International Monetary and Financial Committee warns eroded buffers heighten global risks, calls for fiscal consolidation and stronger financial safeguards
The International Monetary and Financial Committee warned that eroded buffers, conflict, trade tensions, high debt and tighter financial conditions leave global risks tilted to the downside despite better than expected resilience. It called for credible fiscal consolidation, independent and data-dependent monetary policy, stronger digital finance safeguards and faster sovereign debt restructuring. Members also urged completion of approvals for the IMF quota increase under the 16th General Review of Quotas.