IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned at the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok that developments in Saudi Arabia could have negative spillovers for everyone. She praised Saudi leadership for pursuing structural reforms and highlighted the resilience of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including diversification efforts and non-oil sector growth. The IMF noted that the near closure of Hormuz and Red Sea disruptions have sharply curtailed oil and gas exports, while damage to energy facilities has reduced production capacity and constrained non-hydrocarbon activity.
SOURCESaudi Gazette
ON MENA CLIMATE
Al-Rumaih: Riyadh public transport nears 500 million users within 2 years →Saudi Arabia warns Houthis: No impunity for heinous crimes and repeated attacks →Coalition targets Houthi fuel facilities used to support missile, drone attacks →Aramco building targeted in Dhahran, no casualties reported →Saudi Arabia seals energy coop deals with Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt →