Catenaa, Monday, May 12, 2025- The 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded on Friday, April 26, in Washington, D.C., with leaders addressing the growing economic challenges of slowing global growth, escalating debt, and rising trade tensions.
The summit, held from April 21-26, brought together finance ministers, central bankers, and development leaders from around the world.
A key issue discussed was the impact of escalating trade protectionism, especially the U.S. tariffs under former President Donald Trump’s administration, which have disrupted global trade and led to a more somber global economic outlook.
The IMF downgraded its global growth forecast for 2025 to 2.8%, down from 3.3% in January. Growth projections for the U.S. and China were also cut, with the IMF forecasting U.S. growth at 1.8% and China’s at 4%.
Debt sustainability was another central topic, with the IMF projecting global public debt to approach 100% of GDP by the end of the decade. Many emerging economies, still grappling with the pandemic’s impact, face rising borrowing costs.
The IMF and World Bank urged proactive debt restructuring and fiscal reforms, with World Bank President Ajay Banga emphasizing the need for job creation, particularly in Africa.
The meetings also highlighted the growing influence of BRICS, a group that has expanded to include countries such as Egypt, Iran, and the UAE, now accounting for 46% of global GDP. The summit underscored the need for multilateral cooperation to navigate these complex global challenges.
