The IMF World Economic Outlook report lowered economic growth projections for wealthy and poor countries. The IMF forecasts 5.9% global economic growth. #IMFMeetings
What's most striking is that we are looking at economies declining both in wealthy and poor countries. Because the pandemic is impacting so many developing economies, the United States and other wealthy economies face supply shortages.
The IMF flagship report notes prolonged economic challenges while more than 96% of populations in low-income countries remain unvaccinated.
The possibility of new COVID variants emerging is the biggest concern for the future of the global economy. Vaccines are a priority and proactive policies to deal with the global debt and health crises are essential for a return to sustainable economic growth. #IMFMeetings#G20
Rising COVID infections and growing economic uncertainty are significant concerns according to a second IMF report released, the Global Financial Stability Report. The report warns of inflation concerns. #IMFMeetings
Food prices are rising when too many countries struggle with economies in turmoil. The highest food price increases are in countries where access to food is already a problem.
The IMF's stability report highlighted climate risks. One of the greatest threats to economic stability is the shocks that economies face due to climate change. #IMFMeetings#G20
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As developing countries struggle to access vaccines, the US announced support to eliminate trade barriers on vaccine access. In a statement Wednesday, the Biden Administration called for a waiver on COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property patents at the World Trade Organization.
Less than 2% of vaccines reached poor countries. Intellectual property rights prevent developing countries from making their own vaccines or accessing generic versions.
The IMF states that uneven vaccine access is a main cause of global economic uncertainty.
When the majority of countries are not accessing vaccines, the virus continues to mutate and could reinfect vaccinated people in wealthy countries. Continuing coronavirus waves, in any part of the world, mean economic shocks from exports and imports for every country.
Big news on our global coronavirus response efforts.
Treasury notified Congress of its support for $650 billion in IMF global reserves, also known as Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), to assist developing countries struggling with the coronavirus crisis.
US law requires a ninety-day advance alert to Congress before the US votes for SDRs with the IMF board.
The notification paves the way for the US to vote in favor of these funds that developing countries need.
As early as summer, hundreds of billions of these emergency reserve funds can now be authorized for countries struggling with the pandemic.
G7 finance ministers agreed to create emergency reserve funds for developing countries wrestling with coronavirus economic impacts. The funds are likened to a type of currency the International Monetary Fund creates, called Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
This is the strongest public statement to date from G7 countries on the need for SDRs to confront the COVID economic crisis that is ravaging developing countries.
We are waiting on the IMF to formally assess the needs of poor countries to decide on the size of a SDR issuance. There is no doubt that developing countries have needs north of a trillion dollars.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, @JubileeUSA and some of the highest-ranking religious leaders met on global COVID response on Tuesday.
The high-level roundtable discussion focused on emergency SDR reserve funds, debt policies, aid, climate change, Puerto Rico relief and bankruptcy, transparency and tax proposals to prevent future crises.
The meeting with Secretary Yellen and leaders from the largest faith traditions was historic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, religious institutions have called for responses to the COVID crisis that protect the vulnerable and address inequality.