## Press Briefing Transcript: International Monetary and Financial Committee, Spring Meetings 2026

_IMF News, April 17, 2026_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Press Briefing Transcript: International Monetary and Financial Committee, Spring Meetings 2026](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/04/17/tr-04172026-transcript-imfc-press-briefing-spring-meetings-2025)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2026/04/17/tr-04172026-transcript-imfc-press-briefing-spring-meetings-2025/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2026/04/17/tr-04172026-transcript-imfc-press-briefing-spring-meetings-2025/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2026/04/17/tr-04172026-transcript-imfc-press-briefing-spring-meetings-2025/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: April 17, 2026

---

### Opening remarks and governance outcomes
- IMFC Chair: Mohammad Aljadaan, Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabia; Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva; Moderator: Julie Kozack.
- Members unanimously adopted the Diriyah Guiding Principles and the IMF Quota and Governance reforms, described as "the fairest such reforms in over 15 years."
- Diriyah Principles highlights:
  - Selection process of the Managing Director should uphold "open, inclusive, merit‑based and transparent procedures."
  - "The quotas and voting shares of low‑income countries will be protected."
  - Reforms aim to ensure fair representation, including regional balance at the Executive Board.

### Global outlook, scenarios, and immediate risks
- Membership consensus: the supply shock from the war in the Middle East poses a "serious threat" to the global economy, with infrastructure damage and supply disruptions having lasting effects.
- IMF World Economic Outlook scenario references:
  - A short‑lived war scenario where the hit to global growth would be "relatively modest."
  - The most optimistic scenario cited: "GDP growth slows down to 3.1 percent."
  - Risk of sliding toward a more adverse scenario with "even lower growth and higher inflation."
- Specific operational risk cited: "Every day tankers are not leaving, add at least 40 days to the first delivery."
- Market vs physical realities:
  - Paper market movements (prices) can diverge from the physical market; opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of tanker movements, insurance coverage, and tanker availability are critical to restoring supply.

### Fiscal, monetary, and structural policy guidance discussed
- Fiscal policy guidance:
  - Not the moment for "untargeted measures" such as export controls or broad‑based tax cuts.
  - Emphasis on "fiscally prudent and targeted" support for the most vulnerable.
  - New debt should be "directed towards improving potential output without undermining debt sustainability."
- Monetary policy guidance:
  - Central banks "remain strongly committed to maintaining price stability" and should balance risks of tightening too soon versus waiting too long.
  - Independence and clear communication are essential for credibility and anchoring inflation expectations.
  - Support expressed for ongoing work on "monetary policy framework for crisis and near‑crisis countries."
- Structural policy guidance:
  - Broad support for structural reforms to raise productivity; "Strong growth is the best shock absorber."

### IMF operational response and financing
- IMF preparedness and funding needs:
  - Fund sees a range "between 20 and $50 billion" for financial support modalities discussed with members.
  - IMF exploring augmentation of existing programs and potential new programs; an "accordion of options" to scale responses depending on scenario evolution.
- Program expectations:
  - About "a dozen countries" raised needs for additional support during the week.
  - Possible augmentations: "between five and eight programs" may end up with augmentations (indicative, contingent on developments).
  - New program demand: "most are in Africa."
- Coordination with other multilateral institutions:
  - World Bank preparing "liquidity support of up to $25 billion."
  - IMF to coordinate with World Bank and the African Development Bank on division of labor (World Bank can provide IDA grants; IMF provides loans).
- Call to members:
  - Members urged to provide financial assurances to fully fund the PRGT.
  - Managing Director encouraged public attention to strengthen PRGT for low‑income countries in this period of uncertainty.

### Venezuela reengagement
- Venezuela: IMF relations resumed after a "seven‑yearlong pause."
- Immediate IMF priorities for Venezuela:
  - Task 1: Data — address "data adequacy" shortfalls to enable sound decision making.
  - Task 2: Capacity building and institutional strengthening.
  - Task 3: Potential financial support program, contingent on agreement on a way forward.
- Country context cited:
  - "The economy over the last years contracted by two thirds."
  - "8 million people left Venezuela."
  - Inflation described in "triple digits."
- Operational status:
  - IMF received engagement from Venezuelan authorities and has been in technical contact with Ministry of Finance, central bank, and statistical agency; IMF "ready to field a team."
  - IMF will coordinate closely with the World Bank and Inter‑American Development Bank.

### Messaging, member behavior, and credibility
- Record attendance reported for the Spring Meetings (exceeding the record set last April).
- Authorities broadly receptive to IMF messaging:
  - Several members "spoke about targeted measures" and "fiscal responsibility."
  - Managing Director: many policymakers "listened… very attentively" and some "embraced this advice."
- Staff expectations: IMF members expect "a lot" from the Fund—strong surveillance, well‑designed programs, deeper work on debt and global imbalances, and scaled capacity development for low‑income and fragile states.

### Notable numeric and time references (verbatim)
- Date of press briefing: April 17, 2026.
- IMF membership count referenced: "191 members."
- Financing range discussed by IMF: "between 20 and $50 billion."
- Potential augmentations: "between five and eight programs."
- World Bank liquidity support cited: "up to $25 billion."
- Optimistic GDP growth scenario value: "3.1 percent."
- Tanker delivery timing example: "add at least 40 days to the first delivery."
- Venezuela engagement pause length: "seven‑yearlong pause."
- Venezuela economic indicators cited: "contracted by two thirds"; "8 million people left Venezuela"; inflation "in triple digits."
- Governance reform characterization: "the fairest such reforms in over 15 years."

*International Monetary Fund — Press Briefing Transcript: International Monetary and Financial Committee, Spring Meetings 2026 (April 17, 2026).*

---


## References

- [Saudi Arabia and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/SAU/index.htm)
- [República Bolivariana de Venezuela and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/VEN/index.htm)
- [Transcripts](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/04/17/tr-04172026-transcript-imfc-press-briefing-spring-meetings-2025_