Guterres: World at risk of food shortages in 2023

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world will be at risk of food shortages next year if the problem of a destabilized fertilizer market is not resolved soon.

During a briefing, Guterres said, "In 2022 we have no lack of food, we have a problem of distribution”, adding, "If we don't normalize the fertilizer market, we will have a problem of food in 2023."

Elsewhere in his remarks, he revealed that the United Nations is considering expanding the grain agreement to include ammonia exports.

"We are looking not only at maintaining the grain deal but expanding it namely in relation to, just to give an example, the possibility of having ammonia exports through the same channel from the Russian Federation and possibility of an extension in time of the grain deal," Guterres said.

Russia alone in 2021 was the leading exporter of nitrogen fertilizers, the second major supplier of potassium fertilizers, and the third-largest supplier of phosphorous fertilizers. 

Western sanctions on Moscow imposed over the war in Ukraine have undermined Russia's sales of agricultural products around the globe, which prompted the Kremlin to suspend the export of fertilizers.

The sanctions fired back at the West, surging food prices in March to their highest levels ever, while the International Monetary Fund warned in April that global food prices will likely rise further in the future due to the war, the sanctions on Russia and Belarus, and climate issues ravaging the planet.

The US and its allies have rolled out comprehensive sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war, including restrictions on the Russian central bank, export control measures, SWIFT cutoff for select banks, and closure of airspace to all Russian flights. Many of their companies have suspended their Russian operations, and the sanctions even affected agriculture and foodstuffs. 

Commenting on the chances for peace between Russia and Ukraine, UN Secretary-General said, "I have no illusions that at the present moment, the chances for a peace deal are minimal."

Guterres also unmasked on Wednesday that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone about the Black Sea Initiative, grain and fertilizer exports, and Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), among other issues.

"The last time I spoke with President Putin was this morning. That is the reason I came late to this press conference. We had the opportunity to discuss the Black Sea Initiative, its extension, and possible expansion," Guterres told reporters.

He said the situation surrounding the ZNPP and the fact-finding mission tasked with investigating the Olenivka attacks were tackled during his phone call with Putin.

The ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine and Europe, has been a focal point of fighting in recent weeks, which has risen concerns over a potential nuclear incident.

The ZNPP fell under the control of Russian forces after the start of the war and has been targeted frequently by artillery shells from the Ukrainian forces, raising international concerns over a possible nuclear accident. 

On September 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent a 14-person team to the site, including its Director General Rafael Grossi, to assess the situation at the plant. At least two members of the team were to remain there on a permanent basis to ensure the facility's safety. The IAEA said a few days ago that the plant had been disconnected from its last remaining main power line to the grid and was relying on a reserve line.  

Member of the main council of the Zaporozhye region administration, Vladimir Rogov, told Sputnik today that the last operating power unit of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) has been shut down, adding that "over the last few days, the only operating power unit, the sixth, has been operating at its minimum capacity. It was shut down at night, at 3:45 a.m. [00:45 GMT]. It is not generating electricity now."

According to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, 29 strikes on the Zaporozhye complex have taken place since July 18, including 120 artillery shells and 16 kamikaze drones.