130+ Civil Society Groups Demand End to War, Fossil Fuel Dependence at IMF-World Bank Meetings
In an open letter titled “They Profit, We Pay. Fix It Now,” the groups warned that continued violence and fossil fuel dependence are worsening economic hardship globally, pushing millions into hunger and debt. To draw attention to their demands, activists projected the message “No Bombs, No Barrels” onto the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The coalition argued that despite discussions on affordability and economic recovery at the meetings, governments are overlooking clear solutions, including ending the war, taxing windfall profits made by oil and gas companies, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. According to the statement, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, while rising energy costs have led to the extraction of over $100 billion from consumers in just one month.
Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development, said the situation exposes deep flaws in the global system, noting that persistent imbalances in power and selective application of international law have eroded the credibility of multilateral institutions. He warned that failure to secure a permanent end to the war risks further instability and undermines global governance.
Savio Carvalho, Managing Director of 350.org, said governments have a clear responsibility to act as people struggle with the rising cost of living. He noted that fossil fuel companies are profiting heavily from the crisis, adding that taxing windfall profits could provide immediate relief to households and support investment in clean and affordable energy systems.
The coalition also highlighted the impact on African countries, where surging fuel prices are worsening living conditions. Martha Tukahirwa, Africa Coordinator for the Fight Inequality Alliance, pointed to sharp increases in diesel prices in Nigeria and rising transport and food costs in countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, saying the crisis is enriching corporations while leaving ordinary citizens to bear the burden.
Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith, described the situation as a moral failure, stressing that allowing fossil fuel companies to benefit while families struggle is unjust. He said taxing such profits to provide energy relief should be seen as a matter of basic fairness.
David Archer, Head of Programmes and Influencing at ActionAid, warned that the crisis could further deepen debt burdens across the Global South, limiting the ability of many countries to respond effectively. He called for urgent debt cancellation and reforms to shift control away from institutions dominated by wealthy nations.
Backed by a broad alliance of trade unions, grassroots movements, faith groups and non-governmental organisations, the coalition urged governments meeting in Washington to take decisive action to end the conflict, curb fossil fuel profiteering and address structural inequalities driving the global economic crisis.
