'War is development in reverse' UNDP chief tells France 24

AFP / France 24
by Yuka ROYER
April 14, 2026
2 min read

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The Bottom Line

The UNDP chief stated that war reverses development, warning of global economic impact from the Iran war.

How This Affects You

The Iran war could push over 32 million people worldwide into poverty due to energy disruption, increased food prices, and weakened economic growth.

AI Summary

The UNDP chief told France 24 that "War is development in reverse," as the United Nations Development Programme warned about the global economic impact of the war in Iran. The UNDP projects that even if hostilities cease immediately, the conflict could push over 32 million people worldwide into poverty. This is due to a "triple shock" encompassing energy disruption, increased food prices, and weakened economic growth. The International Monetary Fund has already downgraded its global economic outlook, considering various scenarios based on the war's duration.

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