UN chief calls for grain deal to be renewed for global 'food security'

The UN secretary general has urged Russia and Ukraine to renew the deal that has seen more than 8m tonnes of grain exported from Ukraine and brought down global food prices.

Antonio Guterres also called for other countries, mainly in the west, to expedite the removal of obstacles blocking Russian grain and fertiliser exports, Qazet.az report according to Agence France-Presse.

The UN chief’s spokesman said on Friday that Guterres underlined the urgency of renewing the deal so as “to contribute to food security across the world”.

The agreement between Ukraine and Russia was brokered by the UN and Turkey in July and is due to expire on 19 November.

Russia’s UN ambassador said on Wednesday that before Moscow discussed a renewal, “Russia needs to see the export of its grain and fertilisers in the world market, which has never happened since the beginning of the deal”.

He said the hurdles facing Russia’s exports include getting insurance for vessels, conducting financial transactions, finding ports of call for Russian ships, and freeing up fertiliser on ships detained at European ports.