Navigating maritime commerce is crucial for the world to weather the turbulent waters of crises, according to UNCTAD's leader.
UN Secretary-General Urges Shipping Industry to Aid Global Food Relief
Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has called upon the global shipping industry to aid in the delivery of essential foods and fertilizers to markets worldwide, as crises intensify due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Addressing delegates at the Global Maritime Forum's annual summit in New York City on September 22nd, Ms. Grynspan emphasized the critical role maritime trade currently plays during a historic moment of crisis.
The war in Ukraine has interrupted key shipping routes and supply chains, exacerbating global food, energy, and financial crises. These crises have led to record-high prices and threaten to push tens of millions of people worldwide into hunger and poverty this year.
Given that ships transport over 80% of global trade goods, including most of the food, energy, and fertilizers in demand, the shipping industry holds substantial power to alleviate the crisis by ensuring the safe transportation of these vital resources.
Ms. Grynspan praised the efforts already made to facilitate the loading and transport of food and fertilizers from Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. She highlighted the industry's resolve in navigating mined waters and working in war zones to get much-needed supplies moving.
However, she emphasized that the shipping industry must redouble its efforts to navigate the challenging waters ahead, as the global food crisis shows no signs of abating.
As of September 12th, the Black Sea Grain Initiative had enabled the transport of over 2.7 million metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports. The UN notes that these supplies help calm markets and limit food price inflation, providing much-needed relief to those unable to afford rising food costs.
Nonetheless, Ms. Grynspan stressed the urgent need for the shipping industry to step up its efforts, as many developing countries grapple with acute food insecurity and struggle to compete with a stronger US dollar.
Additionally, she highlighted the importance of addressing the shortage of fertilizers, which has tripled in price since the beginning of the conflict, making it a significant challenge for small farmers worldwide. If farmers cannot access the necessary fertilizers, crop production will suffer, potentially leading to further food shortages in 2023.
Ms. Grynspan implored the maritime industry to support international efforts to provide essential food and fertilizers, stating, "The seas are rough. Let's brave them together." The world, she said, needs the shipping industry more than ever in addressing the global food crisis.
- The shipping industry, transporting over 80% of global trade goods, can alleviate the current global crisis by ensuring the safe transportation of essential foods, energy, and fertilizers.
- Ms. Grynspan, the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, has called upon the shipping industry to aid in the delivery of these vital resources, as crises intensify due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- The global food crisis, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has led to record-high prices and threatens to push tens of millions of people into hunger and poverty this year.
- Given the critical role maritime trade plays during this historic moment of crisis, the shipping industry must redouble its efforts to navigate the challenging waters ahead, as the global food crisis shows no signs of abating.
- Ms. Grynspan implored the maritime industry to support international efforts to provide essential food and fertilizers, stating, "The seas are rough. Let's brave them together." The world, she said, needs the shipping industry more than ever in addressing the global food crisis.
