The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday, faulted Russia’s decision stop its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
In a tweet on Monday, the former Finance Minister expressed sadness, stating that the deal’s failure will be felt particularly by poor countries.
“Deeply disappointed at the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the interruption of the grain trade from Ukraine. I share UN SG at antonioguterres’ regret and concern,” she tweeted.
“Black Sea trade in food, feed & fertilizer is critical to the stability of global food prices. Sad to say that poor people & poor countries are hardest hit. Let’s keep hope alive on renewal.”
Earlier, Russia said it would no longer cooperate with a deal that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine’s grain.
Channels Television reports that the Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The initiative was established in July 2022 to abate a global food crisis after Russia invaded Ukraine — a neighboring country and fellow key grain exporter.
The deal allowed for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.