Global economy under 'major threat'

CANBERRA:

The global economy is under "major threat" from the energy crisis caused by the Middle East war and "no country will be immune" to its effects, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said Monday.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Australia's capital, Birol compared the current energy crisis to those of the 1970s and the impact of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"This crisis as things stand is now two oil crises and one gas crash put all together," Birol said. "The global economy is facing a major, major threat today, and I very much hope that this issue will be resolved as soon as possible," he added.

"No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues to go in this direction. So there is a need for global efforts."

Birol told Australian media that at least 40 energy assets across the region had been "severely or very severely damaged" in the conflict