International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group said they are intensifying coordinated support for countries hit by the economic fallout of the Middle East war, as supply disruptions continue to drive volatility in energy and food markets.
In a joint statement issued April 14, 2026, and released to journalists in Abuja the same day, the heads of the three institutions said they met on April 14 under a coordination group formed earlier in the month to align their response to the crisis.
The group was established on April 1, 2026, to strengthen cooperation in addressing the energy and economic shocks triggered by the conflict.
The institutions said the impact of the war has been “substantial, global and highly asymmetric,” with energy-importing countries, particularly low-income economies, facing the most severe strain.
Rising oil, gas and fertiliser prices have amplified inflationary pressures, raising concerns about food security, employment and broader macroeconomic stability. At the same time, some oil and gas producers in the Middle East have seen export revenues decline sharply due to disrupted output and trade flows.
“The shock has led to higher oil, gas and fertiliser prices, triggering concerns about food security and job losses,” the statement said.
A key bottleneck remains the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy shipments. The institutions said shipping through the corridor has yet to fully normalise, prolonging uncertainty in supply chains.
Even if flows stabilise, restoring global supplies of key commodities to pre-conflict levels will take time. Infrastructure damage across affected areas is expected to keep fuel and fertiliser prices elevated for an extended period, with knock-on effects across agriculture, manufacturing and energy systems.
The institutions warned that shortages of key inputs could ripple through multiple sectors, reinforcing price pressures and constraining output.
Beyond commodities, the war has triggered broader economic disruptions. Population displacement, job losses and reduced travel and tourism are weighing on growth prospects, particularly in vulnerable economies.
The April 14 meeting included a review of the latest internal assessments ahead of the release of two major reports: the IEA’s monthly Oil Market Report and the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, both published on April 15, 2026. The reports are expected to provide updated projections on global energy supply, inflation trends and economic growth.
The organisations said they are working closely at both global and country levels to coordinate policy advice and financial support. While the IMF and World Bank will provide funding where needed, all three institutions will deploy technical expertise to help governments manage the shock.
“Our teams are working closely, including at the country level, to leverage our respective expertise and help countries through tailored policy advice and, in the case of the IMF and World Bank, financial support where needed,” the statement said.
They added that they will continue to monitor developments in energy markets and the broader global economy, coordinating responses to mitigate spillover risks.
The institutions also signalled ongoing collaboration with other international organisations to support recovery efforts and stabilise markets.
The coordinated approach reflects mounting concern that prolonged disruption could entrench higher energy and input costs, particularly for import-dependent economies with limited fiscal space.
For policymakers, the immediate challenge is managing inflation and supply constraints, while laying the groundwork for recovery. The institutions said their focus remains on supporting stability, restoring growth and protecting jobs as the global economy adjusts to the continuing impact of the conflict.