USA, October 31 (IPS) – A war of words between Russia on the one hand and the US, UK, France and Germany on the other – especially over the deployment of drones in Ukraine – has caused an unintended consequence: a world food crisis.
Western powers last week asked the UN to verify whether Iranian drones were being used “illegally” in violation of 2015 Security Council resolution 2231 adopting the Global Plan of Action. Joint Representative Office (JCPOA) on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
But Iran has denied it has supplied Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – or drones – to Russia. So are the Russians.
Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy, last week asserted that the drones used in Ukraine were Russian-made, not Iranian.
He also warned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his staff not to participate in any “illegal investigations” into drones used in Ukraine.
And Russia pushed back further and said it would reconsider working with the United Nations on the Black Sea Grains Initiative, which banned Ukraine’s grain exports.
As expected, Russia’s withdrawal from the agreement threatens food security around the world.
As of October 30, the total tonnage of grain and food has moved from Ukrainian ports. under the Initiative, is 9.6 million tons.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on October 30 that the Secretary-General was “deeply concerned about the ongoing situation regarding the Black Sea Grains Initiative”.
He added: “The Secretary-General continues to engage in intense contacts aimed at ending Russia’s discontinuation of the Black Sea Grains Initiative.”
Dujarric pointed out that the same commitment is also aimed at renewing and fully implementing the initiative to facilitate the export of food and fertilizers from Ukraine, as well as removing remaining obstacles to the Russian food and fertilizer exports.
Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank, told IPS Russia that the decision to stop shipping grain was to use food as a weapon.
As a result, she points out that food prices worldwide will rise and people, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, will be hardest hit.
“There will be a potential for food riots and an increase in malnutrition,” she predicts.
She said Russia’s war against Ukraine proves that our global food system is fragile.
Nierenberg, whose nonprofit aims to reform the food system with the goal of highlighting ways to reduce hunger that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable, says: obesity and poverty. www.foodtank.com
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quoted as saying that Russia had “deliberately aggravated” the world food crisis.
“Russia is doing everything to ensure that millions of Africans, millions of residents of the Middle East and South Asia, will fall into artificial starvation or at least a serious food crisis.”
The world has the power to protect people against this, he claimed.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, grain exports from Ukraine, as well as food and fertilizer from Russia, have been significantly affected, according to the United Nations.
“The supply disruption has pushed prices to skyrocket even higher and contributed to the global food crisis. The Black Sea Grains Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye, was established to reintroduce the export of vital food and fertilizers from Ukraine to the rest of the world. “
Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, normally supplies about 45 million tons of grain to the global market each year but, after the Russian invasion of the country, mountains of grain accumulating in bunkers, with ships unable to ensure safe passage to and from Ukrainian ports, and overland routes unable to compensate, the UN said. know.
“This has contributed to rising prices of staple foods around the world. Along with the increase in energy costs, developing countries have been pushed to the brink of default and more and more people are on the brink of starvation.”
On July 22, the United Nations, the Russian Federation, Türkiye and Ukraine agreed Black Sea Grains Initiativeat a signing ceremony in Türkiye’s largest city, Istanbul.
The agreement allows the export of grain, other foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine, including ammonia, to continue through a safe maritime humanitarian corridor from three important Ukrainian ports: Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhny/ Pivdennyi, to the rest of the world.
To implement the agreement, a Joint Coordination Center (JCC) was established in Istanbul, consisting of high-level representatives from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations.
According to the procedure issued by the JCC, ships wishing to join the Initiative will undergo a check off the coast of Istanbul to ensure there is no cargo, and then pass through the maritime humanitarian corridor to Ukrainian ports to loading.
The corridor is set up by JCC and monitored 24/7 to ensure safe passage of ships. Vessels on their return journey will also be inspected at an inspection area off Istanbul.
Meanwhile, a statement released on October 30 said the United Nations Secretariat had convened all delegations earlier Sunday at the Joint Coordination Center in a plenary manner.
During the session, the delegation of the Russian Federation informed that while it suspends participation in the implementation of the Initiative’s activities, including inspections, for an indefinite period, it will continue to dialogue with the United Nations and the Turkish delegation on pressing issues. problem.
The Russian Federation also expressed its willingness to cooperate remotely on issues requiring immediate decision by the JCC.
The Secretariat, working closely with the Turkish delegation to the JCC, continues to engage all representatives to make options on next steps related to JCC activities in line with the JCC’s activities. consistent with the goals and provisions set forth in the Initiative.
To further complete the Initiative, before October 31, the delegation of Turkey and the United Nations proposed to provide 10 inspection teams to inspect 40 ships on exit. This inspection plan was accepted by the Ukrainian delegation. Delegation of the Russian Federation has been informed.
Currently, there are 97 cargo ships and 15 domestic vessels registered for JCC inspection around Istanbul. An additional 89 people have signed up to join the Initiative.
In addition, the delegations of Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations have agreed on a plan to move on the humanitarian corridor at sea, including 14 ships, 12 ships departing and 4 ships arriving.
The United Nations Delegation, as the JCC Secretariat, informed the Russian Federation delegation of the movement activities in accordance with the procedures established by the JCC.
Following JCC procedures, all participants coordinate with their militaries and other relevant agencies to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels under the Black Sea County Initiative.
There was no movement of boats in the corridor as of October 30. There are currently 21 ships participating in the Initiative at or near three Ukrainian ports with a capacity of over 700,000 tons, including IKARIA ANGEL, a vessel built by The World Food Program hires 30,000 tons of wheat for emergency response. in the Horn of Africa, the UN said.
According to the Rome-based World Food Program (WFP) last month, the world faces a hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions.
In just two years, the number of people facing or at risk of severe food insecurity has increased from 135 million in 53 countries before the pandemic, to 345 million in 82 countries today.
Is motivated by conflict, climate shocks and COVID-19, the crisis is escalating as the war in Ukraine drives up the cost of food, fuel and fertilizers. Millions of people are struggling to put food on the table and are being pushed to get closer starve in a storm of incredible proportions.
“We are at an important crossroads. We need to rise to the challenge of meeting people’s immediate food needs, while supporting programs that build long-term resilience.”
“The alternative is WFP warned long before the current grain crisis.
Report of the United Nations Office IPS
By @IPSNewsUNBureau
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