Wrestling with inflation, country debt levels at historic highs and pandemic related economic shocks, many of the world's central bankers are in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to discuss managing the economies of countries. The annual Federal Reserve 2-day policy symposium, "Structural Shifts in the Global Economy," includes remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, World Trade Organization Director General.

"All over the world people can't afford food and poverty is increasing," said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA Network. "Developing countries already pay 7% of their revenue on the interest of their debts. When the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, it means debts increase for countries in crisis."

In April, the IMF forecast the weakest growth in decades. Central banks continue pursuing measures, such as raising interest rates, attempting to fight inflation.

“Central bankers must weigh the reality that more than 165 million people became poor since 2020," noted LeCompte. "If the debts of developing countries continue to go up, countries have less resources to address poverty. When the debts of developing countries increase, food and fuel prices increase across the United States and Europe."

Read the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium agenda here.