UN, Russian officials hold talks on grain, fertilizer exports

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) - UN officials on Friday met with Russia’s deputy foreign minister to discuss the unimpeded export of grain and fertilizers.

Rebeca Grynspan, the secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths met with a high-level Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Vershinin in Geneva.

The talks at the Palais des Nations were not open to the media.

"It is hoped that the discussions will advance progress made in facilitating the unimpeded export of food and fertilizers originating from the Russian Federation to the global markets," Alessandra Vellucci, director at UN Information Services, said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which paused after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February.

The accord allows the export of food and fertilizers from Black See ports in Ukraine' and could expire on Nov. 19 if Russia or Ukraine object to its extension.

- Grain and fertilizer

The UN has noted that part of the July deal also facilitates exports of Russian grain and fertilizer, and the talks in Geneva will broach that aspect.

"They will continue ongoing consultations in support of the efforts by the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the full implementation of the two agreements signed on 22 July in Istanbul," said Vellucci.

"It is hoped that the discussions will advance progress made in facilitating the unimpeded export of food and fertilizers originating from the Russian Federation to the global markets," she added.

At Friday's press conference, Olga Sarrado, the UN refugee agency's spokesperson, warned of extreme hardship for forcibly displaced families across the globe this winter.

"Millions of people from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and across the Middle East displaced by conflict or persecution could face a perilous winter as freezing temperatures add to the misery already induced by spiraling prices, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather linked to the climate crisis," Sarrado said.

She said that UNHCR is warning that for many of the world's forcibly displaced, this coming winter will be far more challenging than in recent years.

"Many displaced families will have no option but to choose between food and warmth as they struggle to heat their shelters, source warm clothing, and cook hot meals," she added.