IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour speaks during the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images)

(L-R) IMF Communications Officer Angham Al Shami, IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour, IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Deputy Director Taline Koranchelian, IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Deputy Director Subir Lall and IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Deputy Director Athanasios Arvanitis attend the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images)

IMF Middle East and Central Asia Department Deputy Director Athanasios Arvanitis speaks during the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia press briefing at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 15, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view shows North Korean territory on the other side of a new cross-border bridge linking China and North Korea, as seen from Dandong, Liaoning Province, on October 15, 2026. A new four-lane road bridge linking China and North Korea finally opened on October 15, 12 years late, enabling the Asian giant and its isolated nuclear-armed neighbour to step up cross-border trade substantially. (Photo by Michael ZHANG / AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - A truck bearing a North Korean flag crosses the new cross-border bridge linking China and North Korea in Dandong, Liaoning Province, on October 15, 2026. A new four-lane road bridge linking China and North Korea finally opened on October 15, 12 years late, enabling the Asian giant and its isolated nuclear-armed neighbour to step up cross-border trade substantially. (Photo by Michael ZHANG / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view shows the North Korean side of a new cross-border bridge linking China and North Korea, as seen from Dandong, Liaoning Province, on October 15, 2026. A new four-lane road bridge linking China and North Korea finally opened on October 15, 12 years late, enabling the Asian giant and its isolated nuclear-armed neighbour to step up cross-border trade substantially. (Photo by Michael ZHANG / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view shows the North Korean side of a new cross-border bridge linking China and North Korea, as seen from Dandong, Liaoning Province, on October 15, 2026. A new four-lane road bridge linking China and North Korea finally opened on October 15, 12 years late, enabling the Asian giant and its isolated nuclear-armed neighbour to step up cross-border trade substantially. (Photo by Michael ZHANG / AFP via Getty Images)

People gather near the new cross-border bridge linking China and North Korea in Dandong, Liaoning Province, on October 15, 2026. A new four-lane road bridge linking China and North Korea finally opened on October 15, 12 years late, enabling the Asian giant and its isolated nuclear-armed neighbour to step up cross-border trade substantially. (Photo by Michael ZHANG / AFP via Getty Images)