Summary:
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Since the agreement was signed on July 22 by Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and the United Nations, more than 11.1 million metric tons of essential supplies have been sent.
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Deeply affected speaking from Cairo, Mr. Guterres said in a video message that he was “very moved” and thankful that a deal had been struck in Istanbul.
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He travelled there from the G20 summit in Bali to the COP 27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh.
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So that there wouldn’t be a food crisis the next year, the head of the UN reaffirmed his promise to remove “remaining restrictions to the free flow of Russian food and fertilizers.
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“The Black Sea Grain Initiative still shows how crucial covert diplomacy is when people want to find solutions that work for everyone.
Since the agreement was signed on July 22 by Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and the United Nations, more than 11.1 million metric tons of essential supplies have been sent.
Deeply affected
Speaking from Cairo, Mr. Guterres said in a video message that he was “very moved” and thankful that a deal had been struck in Istanbul. He traveled there from the G20 summit in Bali to the COP 27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh.
So that there wouldn’t be a food crisis the next year, the head of the UN reaffirmed his promise to remove “remaining restrictions to the free flow of Russian food and fertilizers.”
Inconspicuous diplomacy
Also praised were the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and it was said that Istanbul has become “an important center for quiet diplomacy to deal with major issues.”
He appreciated the Turks’ generosity and “very effective devotion.”
In a separate statement, Mr. Guterres said that the UN was “fully committed” to helping the initiative’s Joint Coordination Center, which manages ship movements to and from Ukraine, “so that this important supply line continues to work smoothly.”
Crucial weapon against hunger
Both accords, which were reached three months ago, according to him, “are crucial to bringing down food and fertilizer costs and avoiding a worldwide food crisis.”
The Black Sea Grain Initiative still shows how crucial covert diplomacy is when people want to find solutions that work for everyone.