Embassy of Luxembourg in Rome

Food must never become a weapon. This is why on tomorrow’s #WorldFoodDay, the 🇪🇺European Union, together with many partners from all regions, will host a side-event at the 🇺🇳UN’s @FAO in Rome on the impact of the current escalation in the Black Sea on global food security. This crisis comes on top of other drivers of food insecurity, notably the ongoing severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the effects of El Niño. Food security is a global public good. We therefore look forward to hearing from leading experts of @FAO, @WFP and @IFAD on what is already done to mitigate the food security effects of the Black See escalation and what more should be done. Efforts of the international community to restore freedom of navigation are and remain essential.

The Black Sea region is a leading global exporter of cereals and oilseeds and supplies about 30% of the world's wheat demand. The current escalation of Russia’s war in the Black Sea causes serious uncertainty over export prospects at the peak of the harvest season and is leading to higher transport insurance costs, rising food prices, and increased food price volatility, fuelling affordability concerns and, ultimately, fears of a global food crisis. Current wheat prices are 27% above January 2026 levels, affecting low-income countries around the world as well as major food-importing countries in North Africa, the Near East, and parts of Asia. This is why 54 Members of the UN Organisations in Rome have written to the Heads of @FAO @WFP and @IFAD to ask for their support to international efforts @antonioguterres to restore freedom of navigation through the Black Sea and to request immediate action to at least mitigate the negative consequences of the current escalation for global food security. The signatories are: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Food must never become a weapon. Neither in the Black Sea nor elsewhere. @MaximoTorero @BethBechdol @WFPChief @IFADPresident @LukeJLindberg @RaniabtBakhita