THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- REMARKS TO PRESS ON UKRAINE GRAIN TALKS UPDATE

Today in Istanbul, we have seen a critical step forward to ensuring the safe and secure export of Ukrainian food products through the Black Sea.

In a world darkened by global crises, 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 bring a measure of much-needed stability to the global food system.

Since the war started, I have been underlining the importance of having Ukraine’s food products and Russian food and fertilizer fully available in world markets. 

I travelled to Moscow and Kyiv to propose solutions for both problems.

Every day since, we have been working around the clock with intense behind-the-scenes talks with countless moving parts.

More technical work will now be needed to materialize today’s progress. 

But the momentum is clear. 

In the end, the aim of all parties is not just an agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, but an agreement for the world.

I thank the government of Türkiye for their outstanding efforts to convene these talks – and their critical role going forward. 

I thank Russian and Ukrainian officials for their constructive engagement.

I salute the commitment of all parties working to secure an agreement for our common humanity.

The United Nations pledges to do our full part to support the follow-up – and I thank our UN teams, led by Rebeca Grynspan and Martin Griffiths, who were responsible for the preparation of the UN Plan.

Today is an important and substantive step.   A step on the way to a comprehensive agreement.

We must also do more for struggling people and developing countries getting pummeled by a food, energy and financial crises not of their making.

We must do more to help all those living on the margins around the world — countries on the brink of bankruptcy, families on the edge of famine. 

Finally, let us never forget that these talks are happening in the midst of a bloody conflict. 

People are still dying.  Fighting is still raging. 

But the hopeful news from Istanbul shows the importance of dialogue.

Let us take inspiration from that ray of hope to help light a way to a desperately needed negotiated solution for peace in line with the UN Charter and international law.

Thank you.