G20 Declaration calls for peace in Ukraine, revival of Black Sea grain deal
COVID-19 pandemic and the economic disruption which has derailed progress towards the SDGs (sustainable development goals)," the document reads. However, there were different views and assessments regarding the impact of the Ukraine war. The leaders also called on Russia to revive the Black Sea grain deal, which allowed movement of food grains from the ports of Russia and Ukraine.
The deal, brokered by Turkiye and UK, lapsed in June. “In this context, emphasizing the importance of sustaining food and energy security, we called for the cessation of military destruction or other attacks on relevant infrastructure. We also expressed deep concern about the adverse impact that conflicts have on the security of civilians thereby exacerbating existing socio-economic fragilities and vulnerabilities and hindering an effective humanitarian response." In July, Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal, which brokered by the UN and Turkey to ensure the safe transport of products from and to Ukraine, an agricultural hub known as the breadbasket of Europe.
The deal included an agreement to facilitate Russia’s own exports of food and fertiliser, but Moscow said this had not been fulfilled. Since quitting the grain deal, Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukrainian ports and grain stores. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which secured the shipment of 32 million tonnes of grains, faced a setback after Moscow reneged on the deal in July and intensified attacks on the infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s grain industry.
Russia and Ukraine are two of the world’s largest producers of food grains, including wheat. Food prices have since surged, with the price of wheat, corn and soybeans surging across the globe. For the second time, PM Modi’s
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