Reactions are multiplying following Moscow’s decision to suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has nevertheless benefited the whole world.
At the United Nations, a senior official spoke on the issue Monday, before the Security Council, sharing his concerns, according to a publication on the UN website.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths recalled that “38 countries have purchased some 9 million tonnes of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea Grain Initiative”.
While food and fuel prices had risen since the start of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the resumption of grain exports by Ukraine, facilitated by this Initiative, had a crucial humanitarian impact, according to Griffiths who mentions ” reduction in prices and a lull in market volatility”.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, allowing the resumption of grain exports blocked in Ukrainian ports due to the conflict with Russia, was concluded last July between Moscow and Kyiv under the auspices of the UN and Turkey .
On October 29, Moscow resolved to suspend this agreement, highlighting a drone attack attributed to Ukrainians and which targeted its ships in the annexed Crimean city.
For the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, using the Grain Initiative in any way to gain a military operational advantage would constitute a serious abuse of the agreement. He confirmed that the United Nations stands ready, together with the countries party to the agreement, to conduct an investigation of all available evidence if requested to do so, using the procedures provided for this kind of investigation. incidents by the Joint Coordination Center of the Grain Initiative.
For her part, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations trade and development agency, UNCTAD, reminded the Security Council of the extreme importance of Russia and Ukraine for world food supplies. , which represent 30% of wheat and barley exports, a fifth of corn and half of sunflower oil, and for Russia alone, 15% of world fertilizer exports.
Concerns about a second major price hike are palpable within the UN.
By OMA Newsletter N° 920 of 01/11/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
