Guterres said that “alternative transport” routes can be explored for the maritime exit of cereals that are stored, in particular, in the Odessa silos, “although we know that it will not be enough to solve the problem.”
At the same time, “Russian food and fertilizers must have full and unrestricted access to world markets,” the UN chief demanded.
These fertilizers are not subject to Western sanctions against Moscow in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukrainebut its purchase by foreign countries may be blocked by measures taken against the Russian financial system, according to diplomats.
Guterres has been negotiating these two issues for weeks with Russia, Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and Turkey, which can offer their support to demine around Ukrainian ports and guarantee the movement of ships.
“I am hopeful but there is still a long way to go. The complex security, economic and financial implications require the goodwill of all parties,” he said.
“There is no effective solution to the food crisis without reintegrating into world markets, despite the war, Ukraine’s food production, as well as food and fertilizer produced by Russia and Belarus,” he explained.
After warning of the “specter of global food shortages in the coming months”, the UN secretary general stressed that “if we do not feed people, we feed conflicts”.
For Guterres, The war in Ukraine has amplified and accelerated the factors contributing to the global food crisis: climate change, the covid-19 pandemic, and growing inequalities between rich and poor countries.
The crisis “threatens to plunge tens of millions of people into food insecurity, malnutrition, hunger” and “could last for years,” he warned.
“In just two years, the number of people suffering from severe food insecurity has doubled from 135 million before the pandemic to 276 million today,” the UN chief said.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
