UN: 1,900 ships inspected under the Black Sea Grain Initiative

United Nations (UN) Black Sea Grain Initiative Coordinator Deşti and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala delivered a speech at the event titled “Black Sea Grain Initiative of the Black Sea” organized by the WTO.

Noting that they inspected more than 1,900 ships within the scope of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Deşti said, “The inspection team works for 7 days. It really is not an easy task.” saying.

Recalling that the UN-brokered initiative was extended for the second time in mid-May, Deshti said that in the first two periods, the initiative facilitated the transportation of 30.5 million tons of grains and food products from Russia and Ukraine to 45 countries, reduced world food prices and stabilized markets.

Okonjo-Iweala, for his part, said that the conflict in the Black Sea region, the war in Ukraine and the crises experienced with the epidemic led to a crisis in the field of food and energy.

Noting that many of the WTO members showed great interest in this issue as a result of high food prices and the problem of accessing grains and fertilizers, Okonjo-Iweala pointed out that the WTO agriculture negotiations have lasted many years. years.

Okonjo-Iweala added that they are in a better position in terms of food accessibility.

“WE ARE WORRIED”

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also made a statement on the issue at the daily press conference. Noting that there was a serious slowdown, especially in May, Dujarric said that 33 ships left Ukrainian ports in May, corresponding to half of the previous month.

Dujarric stated that exports also fell to half of the previous month in May, adding: “The Russian Federation has informed the Joint Coordination Center that it will restrict registrations at the Yuzhny/Pivdennyi port unless there are ammonia exports.” he used his statements.

Noting that the UN has made “strategic and operational” recommendations to all parties, Dujarric said: “We will maintain our intense liaison with the parties for the continuation of the initiative and the full resumption of operations.” he said.

“We are concerned that the implementation of the Black Sea Grains Initiative is slowing down,” Dujarric said. he made the statement of it.

BLACK SEA GRAINS INITIATIVE

To reduce the impact of Russia’s attack on Ukraine on world food prices, the UN, the Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine signed the Black Sea Grains Initiative at a ceremony in Istanbul on July 22, 2022.

The agreement, which was extended for 120 days from November 19, 2022, was extended again on March 18.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on May 17: “With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends and the contributions of our Ukrainian friends, it has been decided to extend the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement for another 2 months. ”. he had used the phrase. (AA)