BANGKOK: Delegates staged an IMF walkout in Thailand on Saturday while Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov addressed its steering committee.
However, the committee’s chair stressed that all members had agreed on its policy statement. Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel estimated that nearly half the delegates left the meeting.
He described the protest as an expression of solidarity and called for Russia’s war against Ukraine to end. Meanwhile, the Bank of England confirmed that Governor Andrew Bailey joined the walkout.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan chairs the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) steering body.
He acknowledged the protest but said members agreed with the statement. Speaking after the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, Al-Jadaan described the global economy as resilient despite repeated shocks.
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He warned that “there is no room for complacency”. According to the chair, escalating conflicts and trade tensions could disrupt key trade routes and push commodity prices higher.
They could also worsen food and energy insecurity. Al-Jadaan urged governments to rebuild financial reserves while protecting vulnerable people and investment that supports growth.
He also called for central bank independence and policies that encourage private investment. Although IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva described the meetings as productive, she said anxiety is growing over widening economic gaps.
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She said lower-income countries outside the artificial intelligence supply chain feared falling further behind. Despite those concerns, Georgieva saw a continuing appetite for international dialogue and cooperation.
Delegates walked out during Russia’s address in Bangkok, although all members agreed on the committee’s policy text.
