BANGKOK: Finance officials from around the world will gather in Thailand this week under the shadow of a widening war in the Middle East, the biggest energy supply shock ever and rising interest rates that together pose daunting risks to already sluggish global economic growth.
The US-Israeli-led war with Iran, now in its eighth month, and the inflation and hardship it has caused, will dominate the agenda and sideline conversations during the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, being held outside Washington for the first time in three years.
Notably absent will be US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who dispatched two senior officials in his stead while he handled some "domestic engagements", a US official said.
