WFP can supply Russian fertilizers stuck in Europe to poor states: UN
3 Min Read
Echoing Putin's remarks last week, Guterres states that Russian fertilizers can reach poor, developing states as soon as they are allowed to leave EU ports.
-
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Reuters)
In an interview for Russian news agency RIA Novosti, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has the ability to deliver 300,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizers stuck in European ports to countries in need.
This information was relayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week to the UN chief regarding the release of 300,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizers stuck in the seaports of the EU, adding that Moscow is prepared to ship them to developing countries - free of charge.
Guterres said, "If Russia ... want to provide fertilizers free of charge to developing countries, I believe the World Food Program will be able to implement that desire," expressing the necessity to guarantee the free export of Russian fertilizers from Europe.
On Sunday, September 18, the UN WFP chief warned that up to 345 million people could face starvation and famine as part of a "global emergency", mainly in poorer countries where food insecurity is already widespread.
Six more ships leave with grain onboard
Regarding the grain supplies, things are developing positively for the shipments to be delivered to countries in need, as Guterres told RIA Novosti that there may be a possible agreement to facilitate exports of Russian ammonia through Ukraine's Yuzhny port.
He added, "There ... [are] negotiations taking place in relation to ammonia [exports through the Yuzhny port using an existing pipeline that has been in use for several years]". He also added that it could be in the interest of both Russia and Ukraine, as it would be interesting to discuss "to see if it is possible to have an even broader agreement."
Under the Black Sea grain deal, six other ships have left Ukrainian ports according to the Turkish Defense Ministry Monday, which tweeted, "As part of the grain shipment, six more ships with grain, which were scheduled to depart today, have left Ukrainian ports."
The grain shipment is an outcome of an UN-brokered initiative signed on July 22 by Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey providing a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships with food and fertilizer exports from Black Sea ports. Three key Ukrainian ports — Odessa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhne — were unblocked to resume exports. The Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Center (JCC) was set up to ensure its implementation, especially to monitor that the vessels do not carry unauthorized goods or personnel.
