Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, raised increasing concerns about the heavy burden of debt, rising food and fuel costs, and the risks associated with underinvestment in artificial intelligence technologies at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Bangkok. She emphasized that "addressing inequalities is fundamental to our ability to end poverty, create job opportunities and ownership, and tackle the rising number of conflicts around the world."
The Importance of Climate Crisis and Artificial Intelligence
Mottley pointed out that the climate crisis and the growth of artificial intelligence have made this task much more urgent for humanity, stating: "These challenges not only harm developing countries but pose a threat to all countries and human societies."
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She referred to collective efforts to achieve a resolution with the United Nations General Assembly to formally establish a committee on this issue by next summer. Supporting countries for this initiative include Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Norway, Germany, Mexico, Iceland, Japan, and Bangladesh.
International Support in Bangkok
Aasmund Aukrust, Norway's Minister for International Development, announced to reporters that more countries are expected to declare their support at a meeting taking place on Friday in Bangkok. He said, "Fifteen countries have joined this initiative so far, and it can be said that this is a mixed group from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia."
In a separate event, Kristalina Georgieva, head of the International Monetary Fund, warned that current economic developments and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence pose a threat to widening the gap between advanced and developing economies, especially given the sharp decline in development aid.
Aukrust also noted that countries with the highest inequality are those where democracy is most vulnerable. He said, "We know that inequality does not occur naturally, but is the result of political decisions, and therefore can also be addressed through political decisions."
The annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Bangkok is an opportunity to focus on global challenges and the necessity of international cooperation to address the economic and social crises faced by many developing countries.
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