The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that global economies face a period of lackluster growth and pressure from rising debt piles. Kristalina Georgieva made the comments ahead of the annual IMF meeting in Washington, D.C.

She warned that high prices could affect the poor and could have influenced potential destabilization from Middle East conflict.

Georgieva also expressed concerns over increased military spending that could affect the funding available for other priorities, including aid to developing countries.