The heads of the International Energy ​Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank today (April 1) announced that they are forming a co-ordination group ‌to maximise their response to the significant economic and energy impacts of the war in the Middle East.

In a joint statement, the three global bodies noted that the war had caused major disruptions in the region and triggered ​one of the largest supply shortages in global energy market history.

The impact is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries. 

It is already transmitted through higher oil, gas and fertilizers prices, and is triggering concerns about food prices as well, said the joint statement. 

Global supply chains - including of helium, phosphate, aluminum, and other commodities - are affected, as is tourism due to flight disruptions at key Gulf hubs. 

The resulting market volatility, weakening of currencies in emerging economies, and concerns about inflation expectations raise the prospect of tighter monetary stances and weaker growth.

"At these times of ​high uncertainty, it is paramount that our institutions join forces to monitor developments, ⁠align analysis, and coordinate support to policymakers to navigate this crisis," they stated.

This is especially the case for countries that are most exposed to the downstream impacts from the war and those confronting more limited policy space and higher levels of debt. 

The new co-ordination group will assess the severity of impacts across countries, coordinate ​a response mechanism, and mobilize stakeholders to deliver support to countries in need, the international bodies said.

To ensure a coordinated response, the heads of these three institutions have jointly agreed to form a group that will:

*Assess the severity of impacts across countries and regions through coordinated data sharing on energy markets and prices, trade flows, fiscal and balance of payments pressures, inflation trends, export restrictions of key commodities, and supply chain disruptions.

*Coordinate a response mechanism that may include: targeted policy advice, assessment of potential financing needs and related provision of financial support (including through concessional financing), and use of risk mitigation tools as appropriate.

*Mobilise relevant stakeholders, including other multilateral, regional, and bilateral partners, to deliver a coordinated and efficient support to countries in need.

The group will work with, and draw on, other international organizations’ expertise as needed.

The response mechanism could include targeted policy advice, assessment of potential financing needs and related provision of financial support, including through low ​or zero-percent financing, as well as unspecified risk mitigation tools, they said.

"We are committed to working together to safeguard global economic and financial stability, strengthen energy security, and support affected countries and people on their path to sustained recovery, growth, and job creation through reforms," they added.-TradeArabia News Service