By Abdullahi Lukman
The United Nations on Wednesday stressed the urgent need for a formal agreement to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, citing its critical role in maintaining global food security and stable supply chains.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, expressed the need following recent announcements of separate agreements between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the United States, to pause strikes in the Black Sea and against each other’s energy infrastructure.
Despite these agreements, tensions between Moscow and Kyiv remain high.
Dujarric highlighted that UN efforts to ensure safe and free navigation in the Black Sea have been ongoing, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres proposing a plan in February 2023.
The initiative follows the successful Black Sea Initiative brokered by the UN and Turkey in July 2022, which enabled the export of Ukrainian grain and included a memorandum of understanding to support Russian food and fertilizer exports.
However, in July 2023, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Initiative, citing obstacles to its own exports.
In response, UN trade official Rebeca Grynspan met with Russian officials in Moscow earlier this week to continue discussions on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding.
Dujarric reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to the agreement and reiterated Guterres’ readiness to support efforts towards peace and stability in the region.
The UN remains dedicated to working towards a solution that ensures the continued flow of vital exports from the Black Sea, essential for the global economy. END
