Food security was discussed at the Global Peace Summit

Food security was one of the central topics of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Ukraine informed the participants that it is necessary to ensure free and safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas and to restore sovereign control over all Ukrainian ports, as Russia’s attempts to impede free navigation in the Black Sea threaten the food security of many countries.

During the Peace Summit, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Kenya William Ruto discussed the creation of hubs for Ukrainian grain in African ports. In particular, they discussed projects in the field of agricultural exports.

Global food security was also at the center of the discussion at the meeting between the President of Ukraine and President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara.

“The Black Sea region is very important, of geostrategic importance, because we are talking not only about Ukraine. And what Russia has been doing in our region lately is just outrageous. We have also seen all the threats coming from the Russian Federation to commercial shipping in the Black Sea. We have seen how this war has directly affected Romania. Earlier, we identified some Russian drones on our territory. Now it is important to continue to strongly support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” said Romanian Foreign Minister Luminica Odobescu.

Russia has jeopardized global food security by waging war against Ukraine. But Ukraine intends to remain a guarantor for many countries of the world,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“Ukraine continues to guarantee food security. We want to do it. I emphasize once again that we need this not only for the sake of peace, but also for the sake of Ukraine. We need to sell this grain. There is a Grain From Ukraine initiative that sells grain to countries in Africa and Asia, where the situation is difficult. Some countries get it for free, and we all raise money for it. And Ukraine also does this during the war, helping countries. These are Mali, Ethiopia, and Yemen. A large number of countries. And we sent them $160 million worth of grain in a year. Ukraine did this during the war,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Currently, civilian vessels are moving from the seaports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenne along two routes that Ukraine has proposed to the International Maritime Organization. And the Ukrainian military is monitoring and analyzing all possible risks. To ensure the functioning of the maritime corridor, Ukraine has also presented a joint ship insurance mechanism with the United Kingdom. According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the fund has reduced the cost of insurance by about 2.5%. Kyiv intends to further expand the fund and is negotiating with international financial organizations. At the same time, it is not only about insuring maritime but also land transportation.

Analysts estimate that Ukraine produces enough food per year to feed about 400 million people.

Tags: Grain from Ukraine, Ukraine, Romania, Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya, food security, Ivory Coast, Mali, war