Geopolitical Strife Could Cost Global Economy $14.5 Trln Over 5 Years

09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa
09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa
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Geopolitical Strife Could Cost Global Economy $14.5 Trln Over 5 Years

09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa
09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa

The global economy could face losses of $14.5 trillion over a five-year period from a hypothetical geopolitical conflict which hits supply chains, insurance market Lloyd's of London said on Wednesday.

The economic impact would result from severe damage to infrastructure in the conflict region and the potential for compromised shipping lanes, Lloyd's said in a statement.

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza have already disturbed shipping routes in the Black Sea and Red Sea.

"With more than 80% of the world's imports and exports – around 11 billion tons of goods – at sea at any given time, the closure of major trade routes due to a geopolitical conflict is one of the greatest threats to the resources needed for a resilient economy," Lloyd's said.

The possibility of such a geopolitical conflict was a systemic - or low likelihood but high impact - risk, Lloyd's said.

Lloyd's said it has also researched other potential systemic risks in partnership with the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies, including cyber attacks and extreme weather events.



Syria Meeting Focused on Need for Credible Economic Data, IMF Chief Says

International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
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Syria Meeting Focused on Need for Credible Economic Data, IMF Chief Says

International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)

Officials from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and key countries met with Syrian authorities this week on efforts to rebuild the war-torn country, emphasizing the need for credible data, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday.

Georgieva said rebuilding Syria's central bank and expanding the country's capacity to generate revenue were other key issues addressed during the meeting that took place during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, who chairs the International Monetary and Financial Committee, said he was grateful to the IMF and World Bank for stepping up support for Syria, noting others including Yemen, Palestine and Lebanon would also need help.