Canada is urging for the extension of the Black Sea grain deal, which allows for the use of Ukrainian ports for food grain shipments during the ongoing war.
The deal, set to expire on Monday, is crucial to prevent further disruptions to the global food system, according to Global Affairs Canada. In a statement to Global News, a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada said, “Canada calls for the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative for as long as necessary to prevent any additional shocks to global food systems that are already strained by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Canada will continue working with its partners to mitigate the impact of Russia’s war of aggression on global food systems through humanitarian assistance and long-term agriculture and food systems development support.”
Last summer, a precarious deal was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, allowing Ukraine to ship 32.8 million metric tons of grain, with more than half going to developing nations that had been cut off due to Russia’s invasion. This deal was a breakthrough in feeding the world. However, the fate of the deal now hangs in the balance, awaiting a resolution between Russian President Vladimir Putin, the United Nations, and the European Union to break a deadlock.
Putin stated that Russia could withdraw from the deal if other parties fail to fulfill their promises, citing concerns over the deal’s impact on Russia’s own exports. Moscow has repeatedly threatened to block the extension of the deal due to issues related to its implementation. If the deal expires, it would jeopardize the World Food Program’s aid programs for at-risk countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already pushed food-insecure populations around the world to the brink, making the extension of the Black Sea grain deal even more crucial. The international community must find a compromise to salvage the deal and ensure the continuity of global food systems.
*With additional information from The Associated Press and Reuters*
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