The United Nations (UN) is negotiating an agreement that would enable grain shipments from Ukraine across the Black Sea as well as unrestricted access to global markets for Russian food and fertilizers.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned UN correspondents that without the agreement, hundreds of millions of people in developing countries risk an unprecedented wave of famine.
According to the World Food Programme, the war's repercussions might raise the number of people experiencing extreme food insecurity by 47 million in 2022.
“Ukraine’s food production and the food and fertilizer produced by Russia must be brought into world markets, despite the war,” Guterres said in the press conference.
Guterres said in the past ten days, senior officials have been in close contact with parties in Moscow, Kyiv, Ankara, Brussels, and Washington.
He further said anything more in public would jeopardize the chances of success, and I ask for your understanding.
“This is one of those moments when silent diplomacy is necessary – and the welfare of millions of people around the world could depend on it,” said UN Secretary-General.
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