BLACK SEA GRAIN INITIATIVE: UN Debates Russia’s withdrawal from Black Sea Grain deal
UN: Security Council debates Russian withdrawal from Black Sea Initiative
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The landmark agreement to export grain and related foodstuffs from Ukraine must be kept alive amid the ongoing war and the global cost of living crisis, two senior UN officials told the Security Council on Monday.
Russia requested the meeting following its decision to suspend participation in the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative “for an unspecified period of time”, announced this past weekend, in response to alleged Ukrainian attacks against its ships.
The UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, and the head of its trade and development agency, UNCTAD, Rebeca Grynspan, briefed ambassadors on the development and its impacts so far.
Many governments concerned
“Ukraine’s grain exports are not a food aid operation. They do operate as a huge lever on price, with positive ripple effects throughout the world. New security allegations are a cause of grave concern to the Secretary-General and many Member States are worried now that the deal is in trouble,” said Mr. Griffiths.
Ukraine and Russia account for roughly 30 per cent of the world’s exported wheat and barley, one fifth of its maize, and over half of its sunflower oil.
Russia is also the world’s largest exporter of fertilizers, accounting for 15 per cent of global exports.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed by the UN, Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye during a ceremony in Istanbul in July. Under the deal, ships transporting grain from three Ukrainian ports travel along an agreed corridor to markets worldwide.
The UN and Russia also signed a parallel agreement on grain and fertilizer exports.
UN ready to investigate
Mr. Griffiths said it would be “a grave abuse” of the Black Sea Grain Initiative if it were used in any way for military operational advantage.
“The United Nations has the solemn privilege of assisting the parties to implement this unique arrangement. Acting as a Secretariat, the UN is ready to investigate, along with the Member States party to the Initiative, any, and all evidence presented, if requested,” he added.
Furthermore, the mechanism implementing the Initiative – the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), comprised of representatives from the four signatories – has established agreed processes for incidents and any accidents. Learn More /…
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Image Credit: Umut Çolak – Voice of America, Public Domain under CC
