LONDON…
‘No one can doubt the need for UN and multilateral system reform,” says Leo Varadkar…
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal “has only made this bad situation worse” as he expressed concern about increasing global food, energy and economic insecurity.
Varadkar touched on global sufferings, including food, energy and economic insecurity which have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine in his address to the annual UN General Assembly in New York.
“Russia’s inexplicable decision last month to collapse the Black Sea Grain Initiative has only made this bad situation worse,” he said.
Varadkar said the threat of famine and food insecurity persists while increased conflict, insecurity and violence, affect the most vulnerable people on the planet.
He pointed out the importance of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals which are “more than a set of aspirations.” He said: “It is time for all of us — to turn our collective commitments into reality.”
Amid efforts to continue Ukrainian agricultural exports after the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal in July, Kyiv and its partners have been looking for land routes to reach world markets from the war-ravaged country.
Russia refused to extend the grain deal, complaining that the West had not met its obligations and that there were still restrictions on its own food and fertilizer exports. Moscow was particularly critical of the restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance.
Last year, the UN and Türkiye brokered the grain deal that allowed Ukraine to ship grain via the Black Sea and succeeded in bringing down global food prices.