“Ukraine’s grain exports are not a food aid operation”- Humanitarian Chief Briefs the Council

UN top officials urged all parties to protect the Black Sea Grain Initiative, highlighting the importance of the deal for food security around the world. The appeal happened during a Security Council meeting requested by Russia on Monday (31 Oct), after the country announced it was temporarily suspending activities in the implementation of the initiative. Briefing Council Members, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, said “Ukraine’s grain exports are not a food aid operation.” According to Griffiths, these exports “operate as a huge lever on price, with positive ripple effects throughout the world.” The Under-Secretary-General also said that “new security allegations are a cause of grave concern to the Secretary-General and many member states worried that the deal is in trouble.” He said that “it would indeed be a grave abuse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative if it were used in any way for military operational advantage” and that “the United Nations has the solemn privilege of assisting the Parties to implement this unique arrangement.” Griffiths assured that “acting as a Secretariat, the UN is ready to investigate, along with the Member States party to the Initiative, any and all evidence, if requested.” The Emergency Relief Coordinator said the UN is “very encouraged” by Russia’s assurance that “it is not pulling out of the Initiative, as it has been said by some, it is only temporarily suspending activities in the implementation of the initiative.” Griffiths concluded asking Member States to “keep this initiative in action” and resolve differences “with all speed” because “this initiative is too important to fail.”


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