The 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank officially opened on April 13 and will run through April 17. Finance officials and central bank governors from around the world gathered in Washington to discuss the Middle East conflict, inflation, debt risks and global economic recovery.

Shortly before the meetings, the IMF released its updated World Economic Outlook, upgrading its 2026 global growth forecast but warning that geopolitical tensions and volatile energy prices posed major downside risks. The report noted that prolonged high oil prices could lift global inflation and delay rate cuts by major central banks. Debt pressures in emerging markets also remain a key concern.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will visit the U.S. to attend G20 and IMFC meetings. Investors are watching for signs of policy coordination. While the meetings may signal stronger support for vulnerable economies, major policy breakthroughs are expected to be limited.