In comments at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, UN chief António Guterres used the description of a ship carrying Ukrainian grain to Africa as a “symbol of what the world can achieve if we act together.”
“It was navigating a war zone — led by the parties to the conflict — as part of an unprecedented comprehensive initiative to get more food and fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia,” he said.
In late August, after 14 days at sea, a cargo of 23,000 tons of wheat arrived at the MV Brave Commander in the Horn of Africa in support of the United Nations World Food Programme. After Russia blocked Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, the UN and Turkey helped strike a deal to get grain from Ukraine.
“Some may call it a miracle at sea. In reality, it is multilateral diplomacy in action,” Guterres added.
“The Black Sea Grain Initiative has paved the way for the safe navigation of dozens of ships stocked with much-needed food supplies. But each ship also carries one of today’s rarest commodities: Hope,” he said.
But alongside hope, action is needed to stabilize the global fertilizer market, Guterres said.
“It is essential to continue to remove all remaining barriers to the export of Russian fertilizers and their ingredients, including ammonia. These products are not subject to sanctions – and we are making progress in eliminating indirect effects,” he said. .
“If action is not taken now, the global fertilizer shortage will quickly turn into a global food shortage,” he warned.