European Central Bank / ESCB — FX Global Code
On 9 Oct 2025 the European System of Central Banks renewed its Statements of Commitment to the FX Global Code, reaffirming adherence to the Code’s principles of robust, fair, liquid and appropriately transparent FX markets. First published in 2017 and updated in Dec 2024, the Code guides conduct for market participants; the ESCB urges firms in EU jurisdictions to review the update and (re)affirm compliance. The move signals continued focus on market integrity—key for monetary policy transmission—without changing policy settings. (European Central Bank)
IMF — Yemen Article IV Mission (Concluding Statement)
Published 9 Oct 2025, the IMF resumed Article IV consultations with Yemen after an 11-year hiatus. Staff highlight a severe humanitarian crisis, a ~27% GDP contraction over the past decade, depleted reserves (<1 month of imports), and inflation that peaked above 35% y/y mid-2025. FX stabilization steps since August helped the rial and should temper inflation. Baseline: a modest 2025 GDP contraction (~0.5%), with gradual recovery contingent on reforms, revenue integrity, and continued external support. Policy asks include tighter fiscal control, market-aligned FX, and stronger financial oversight. (IMF)
U.S. Federal Reserve — FOMC Minutes (Sep 16–17)
Released 8 Oct 2025, the minutes detail how participants balanced progress on inflation against risks from labor-market cooling and financial conditions. Members judged the policy stance should remain restrictive for now while staying data-dependent and prepared to adjust as needed. The document emphasizes uncertainty around consumption, inflation persistence in services, and potential spillovers from global developments. It’s a transparency milestone rather than a policy shift, but it refines guidance on the reaction function heading into Q4. (Rezervele Federale)
European Commission — AI Act Service Desk & Single Information Platform
On 8 Oct 2025 the Commission launched the AI Act Service Desk plus a Single Information Platform to give developers and deployers central access to obligations, FAQs and tools (Compliance Checker, AI Act Explorer) as the AI Act phases in toward full application by 2 Aug 2027. The aim is legal certainty and smoother implementation across the EU so trustworthy AI can scale. Users can also submit questions to experts working with the new AI Office. (digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu)
World Bank & European Commission — Global Gateway Partnership
Announced 8 Oct 2025 at the Global Gateway Forum (Brussels), the EC and World Bank Group deepened their strategic partnership to move an initial pipeline of 18 high-impact projects (energy, transport, digital) from “financing” to “jobs & services” across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Leaders framed the tie-up as a jobs-first model that aligns EU investment with Bank delivery capacity and mobilizes private capital at scale. (Banca Mondială)
World Bank — MENA, Afghanistan & Pakistan Economic Update
On 7 Oct 2025 the Bank reported a cautiously better outlook: regional growth projected at 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026. GCC economies benefit from phasing out voluntary oil cuts and stronger non-oil activity; importers see support from consumption, investment and rebounds in agriculture/tourism. Risks: policy uncertainty, conflict, displacement. A key theme is unlocking women’s labor-force participation to lift GDP significantly. (Banca Mondială)
WTO — Global Trade Outlook (Oct Update)
On 7 Oct 2025, the WTO’s update said AI-related goods and front-loading boosted 2025 trade, but the 2026 outlook dims amid heightened policy uncertainty. Services export growth is seen slowing from 6.8% (2024) to ~4.6% (2025). DG Okonjo-Iweala flagged unilateral measures by a major member and rising uncertainty as key drags. The update reframes expectations for 2025-26 and underscores tariff/uncertainty risks. (Organizația Mondială a Comerțului)
WHO — Tobacco Trends Report
Released 6 Oct 2025, WHO reports global tobacco users fell from 1.38B (2000) to 1.2B (2024)—a 27% relative drop since 2010—yet one in five adults still uses tobacco. First-ever WHO estimate of e-cigarette use finds 100M+ vapers worldwide (≈86M adults; ≥15M adolescents 13–15). Women’s prevalence dropped to 6.6% (2024), hitting the 2025 reduction target early; men’s progress lags. WHO urges stronger MPOWER/FCTC measures, tighter regulation of new nicotine products, higher taxes, and expanded cessation support. (Organizația Mondială a Sănătății)
OPEC+ — Production Adjustment / Stability Statement
On 5 Oct 2025, eight OPEC+ countries (Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Oman) reviewed “healthy” market fundamentals and a steady global outlook. They decided to implement a 137 kb/d production adjustment from the 1.65 mb/d voluntary cuts of Apr 2023, effective Nov 2025, with flexibility to pause or reverse depending on conditions. They reaffirmed monitoring via the JMMC and commitment to full conformity and compensation. (opec.org)
India–UK Joint Statement
Published 9 Oct 2025 during PM Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India (8–9 Oct), the statement hails momentum in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, eyes swift ratification of the India–UK CETA (signed in July), and announces initiatives across tech (6G/NTN hub, Joint Centre for AI), critical minerals, defence (LMM systems, maritime propulsion), climate finance (new joint investment), aviation connectivity, and education (multiple UK university campuses in India). It also notes shared positions on Ukraine and support for a Gaza peace plan. (GOV.UK)