UN chief says Ukraine grain export deal in Istanbul 'ray of hope' to ease global hunger

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A just-brokered agreement to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports is a "ray of hope" for those suffering from hunger worldwide, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

"Today at last we have a ray of hope; a ray of hope to ease human suffering, and alleviate hunger around the world; a ray of hope to support developing countries and the most vulnerable people, a ray of hope to a bring a measure of much needed stability to the global food system,” Guterres said at the UN's New York headquarters.

The comments came just minutes after Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced that Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian and UN officials agreed to establish a coordination center in Istanbul to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports.

Akar said the participants found common ground on technical issues, such as navigational safety on transfer routes, as well as joint controls at entry and exit of ports.

Representatives of Ukraine and Russia are set to gather in Türkiye next week to review the details of the agreement and also sign relevant documents, making the deal official, he added.