Termination of Black Sea Grain Initiative to affect global food prices - Guterres

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says that with the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the most vulnerable population strata will suffer due to the increase in food prices.

Antonio Guterres said this at the opening of the UN Food Systems Summit, as reported by Ukrinform.

"We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but this is especially devastating for vulnerable countries struggling to feed their people. As food prices rise, the hopes of developing countries fall," said Guterres.

According to Antonio Guterres, the Russian Federation and Ukraine are the most essential nations for global food security.

"They have historically accounted for roughly 30% of world wheat and barley exports, a fifth of all maize and more than half of sunflower oil," the UN Secretary-General explained, adding that he remains committed to facilitating unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and to delivering food security, which "every person deserves."

"And I call on the Russian Federation to return to the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative in line with my latest proposal, and I urge on the global community to stand united for effective solutions in this essential effort," Guterres said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the UN emphasizes that due to the termination by Russia of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the threat to maritime navigation, food prices are rising around the world, exacerbating the energy and financial crises.