The World Economic Outlook (WEO) presents the IMF staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups (classified by region, stage of development, etc.), and in many individual countries. It focuses on major economic policy issues as well as on the analysis of economic developments and prospects. It is usually prepared twice a year, as documentation for meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, and forms the main instrument of the IMF's global surveillance activities.

Watch Assunção Afonso dos Anjos, the minister of external relations for the Republic of Angola, speak about Angolan development and U.S.-Angola relations.

Listen to Assunção Afonso dos Anjos, the minister of external relations for the Republic of Angola, speak about Angolan development and U.S.-Angola relations.

With its economy flourishing, China is finally making a real impact on the global stage, writes Joshua Kurlantzick.

This Business Action for Africa report consists of expert briefs by government, business, and NGO leaders on African growth and development, with policy recommendations on how businesses can manage and innovate through the global economic crisis.

What will the global financial crisis mean for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) efforts to promote sustainable economic growth? OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría offers his perspective on the economic downturn and his organization's strategies for blunting its impact on both developed and developing countries around the world.

Listen to Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, offer his perspective on the economic downturn and his organization's strategies for blunting its impact on both developed and developing countries around the world.

Christina Romer, the chair of U.S. President Barack Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, presented a cautiously optimistic picture of U.S. recovery from the current recession in a May 12 address at the Council on Foreign Relations. Romer argued that the United States ought to be able to achieve strong economic growth without risking asset price bubbles like the ones seen in the dot-com business in early 2000 and then again in U.S. housing prices in 2006. Romer said President Obama's stimulus and regulatory reform agenda is an appropriate means to achieve this goal. "The goal of long-run economic growth without asset price bubbles is not only achievable," she said, "but is something we should expect if we put a sound regulatory framework in place and if policymakers remain vigilant." Romer cited "pent-up demand" and "the natural forces of inventory rebound" as factors that could work alongside Obama's policy to stir this growth.

This Council on Foreign Relations panel discussion covered current trends in philanthropy.

From the May/June 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs: The end of the free market?

Listen to experts detail Zimbabwe’s current political and economic situation, and prospects for the country’s future in the wake of the Southern African Development Community support for a multibillion-dollar economic recovery plan.

Watch experts detail Zimbabwe's current political and economic situation, and prospects for the country's future in the wake of the Southern African Development Community support for a multibillion-dollar economic recovery plan.

In this meeting, speakers discuss what can be expected from the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas.

Watch experts separate reality from rhetoric and discuss the goals of the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas, which is themed "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability."

Listen to experts separate reality from rhetoric and discuss the goals of the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas, which is themed "Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability."

Democratic institutions cannot be set up easily; they are likely to emerge only when certain social and cultural conditions exist.

From the March/April 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs: What we know about modernization.

Listen to CFR experts examine U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, the global economy, and the challenges and opportunities that fill the new administration's inbox.

Watch CFR experts examine U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, the global economy, and the challenges and opportunities that fill the new administration's inbox.