More than 50 countries call for restoration of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea

Representatives of 54 members of UN organizations have appealed to the heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), urging them to support international efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. This was stated in a statement published by the EU Delegation on October 7.

The appeal notes that the Black Sea region is one of the world’s leading exporters of grains and oilseeds, accounting for approximately 30% of global wheat demand.

The signatories emphasize that the current escalation of Russia’s war in the Black Sea is creating uncertainty over exports at the peak of the harvest season. At the same time, shipping insurance costs and food prices are rising, while food commodity prices are becoming increasingly volatile.

According to the statement, wheat prices are currently 27% higher than in January 2026. This is affecting low-income countries as well as major food-importing nations in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.

Against this backdrop, the 54 members of UN organizations in Rome called on the heads of FAO, WFP, and IFAD to support international efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and take immediate action to mitigate the impact of the current escalation on global food security.

The signatories include representatives of Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, the EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“Food must never be used as a weapon. Not in the Black Sea, nor anywhere else,” the statement emphasizes.

Tags: Black Sea grain corridor, export, grain, Black Sea region, food security, restrictions, war