Washington, April 15 (QNA) - The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Finance and Qatar Central Bank (QCB), participated in a meeting of finance ministers, central bank governors, and heads of regional financial institutions from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington from April 13 to 18.

The meeting addressed the impact of geopolitical tensions on regional and global economies, including disruptions to trade, energy, and supply chains, as well as challenges related to growth, inflation, and food security, and ways to strengthen financial stability.

HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari took part alongside HE QCB's Deputy Governor Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al-Thani, and their accompanying delegation, in the meeting chaired by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

During his intervention, HE the Minister of Finance discussed the effects of regional conflicts on economies, noting that geopolitical tensions have caused trade and supply chain disruptions, higher costs, shortages of some goods, pressures on growth, rising inflation, and additional burdens linked to rehabilitating damaged facilities.

His Excellency stressed the importance of strengthening diplomatic solutions and dialogue, as well as collective action to reinforce stability, uphold international law, ensure maritime security, and maintain smooth energy supplies to support regional growth and prosperity.

He added that the conflict had caused widespread damage to regional and global economies through its impact on growth, supply chains, energy markets, and inflation, emphasizing the need to enhance joint action, entrench diplomatic solutions, and provide guarantees to prevent future crises, while reaffirming Qatar's commitment to partnership with the IMF and the international community to address these challenges.

HE Al Kuwari also noted that Qatar's policy responses continue to evolve in line with developments, with a focus on ensuring liquidity, maintaining financial system stability, and balancing support for economic sectors with fiscal sustainability, in coordination with IMF recommendations.

The meeting forms part of the ongoing IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, which address key global economic developments and challenges. (QNA)