Ukraine’s remarks at the Round Table Policy Dialogue – Addressing Global Food Insecurity and Famine Risk: Reinforcing Collective Impact (29 April 2024, 1:15-2:30 pm, ECOSOC Chamber) co-hosted by Italy, Brazil, EU, Uganda, Global Network Against Food Crises

Thank you for organizing this important event.

Food security remains a crucial factor in fostering international peace and security, as well as a driving force for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

In recent years, Ukraine has significantly contributed to food security in numerous countries worldwide. 

Following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, 2023, Ukraine, alongside international partners, successfully established alternative temporary routes for civilian vessels to and from the Black Sea ports of Ukraine.

Since then, around 1300 vessels have used the newly established maritime corridor to supply Ukrainian agricultural products for 40 countries. This exceeds the amount exported in the entire year of the Black Sea Grain Initiative functioning. A total of 25 million tons of products from Ukrainian agrarians were exported from the ports of Pivdennyi, Odesa, and Chornomorsk. The exports from the Black Sea ports indeed reached capacity levels prior to the full-scale invasion. We are consistently striving to enhance the capacity of all corridors.

The livelihoods of approximately 400 million people worldwide rely on Ukrainian food exports. Even amidst these challenging times, we stand prepared to uphold our role as a guarantor of global food security. The humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine" serves as a commendable illustration. To date, 8 vessels carrying over 200,000 tons of grain have been dispatched to Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen, Nigeria, and Sudan within the framework of this Ukrainian initiative.

Last week, as part of the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative and with the backing of the UN World Food Program, another shipment of Ukrainian grain was shipped to Sudan. This delivery will facilitate assistance to 2 million people who confront acute hunger and food insecurity each month.

The cessation of Russian occupation and missile attacks on our ports and infrastructure would amplify the supply of Ukrainian food to the global market, thereby contributing to global food security and the collective efforts of the civilized world to uphold international peace and security.

Thank you.