Belarusian diplomat: UN recognizes the negative impact of sanctions on world food security

The United Nations Organization recognizes the negative impact of sanctions on food security across the globe. Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yuri Ambrazevich made the statement at a session of the Sustainable Development Council, BelTA has learned.

Yuri Ambrazevich said: “The latest statements by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who spoke in favor of reintegration of agricultural products and fertilizers from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine into the global market through the removal of Western sanctions, including sanctions affecting the potash industry, inspire hope. It is practically the first recognition of the negative impact of sanctions or unilateral coercive measures on the state of food security at such a high level.”

At the same time the Belarusian diplomat urged not to play with concepts when facts affecting the potential problem of world hunger are at stake. “As you know, the decision to restrict the transit of Belarusian potassium via Baltic Sea ports was made long before Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine,” the official reminded.

Yuri Ambrazevich said he expects words of the UN secretary general to send a wakeup call to all the UN agencies and offices and urge them to counteract unilateral coercive measures.

At a session of the UN Security Council on 5 May UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged to return food and fertilizers of Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian make onto world markets.

“A meaningful solution to global food insecurity requires reintegrating Ukraine's agricultural production and the food and fertilizer production of Russia and Belarus into world markets, despite the war,” Antonio Guterres underscored.