Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo
Remarks to the 4th International Summit on Food Security
“Food from Ukraine”
Kyiv, 19 November 2025
Excellencies,
It is a pleasure to represent the United Nations on behalf of the Secretary-General at this summit.
It has been nearly four years since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law.
The war has not only taken thousands of lives, destroyed countless Ukrainian towns and villages, and displaced millions of people.
It has also disrupted global supply routes and vital Ukrainian food exports.
Today, according to the latest report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, an estimated 673 million people in the world continue to face hunger, which is more than 8 percent of the global population.
In this context, the importance of agricultural exports from Ukraine is unquestionable.
Despite the ongoing war, and the wide-spread damage to infrastructure, Ukrainian farmers continue to produce and export grain and oilseeds that feed markets worldwide.
According to the estimates by the International Grain Council this season, Ukraine accounts for over 13 per cent of global maize exports, and over seven per cent of global wheat exports.
However, the ongoing hostilities continue to create barriers for the full realization of Ukraine’s agricultural potential.
An estimated 15-16 million hectares of Ukrainian farmland are contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance, with nearly one-third of farms in frontline areas affected.
This remains one of the greatest barriers to restoring production and livelihoods.
In response, the United Nations has helped safeguard and store more than 7.5 million tonnes of cereals and oilseeds since late 2022. We are now expanding support to mine-action for agriculture, irrigation rehabilitation, and resilient seed systems.
Excellencies,
Acknowledging the fundamental role of Ukraine and the Black Sea routes to global food markets, the UN Secretary-General Guterres and Türkiye brokered the Black Sea Initiative in 2022.
The aim of this Initiative was to benefit Ukrainian farmers and consumers worldwide by enabling the safe transportation of nearly 33 million metric tons of grains and other foodstuffs to 45 countries, across three continents.
Following the expiry of the Black Sea Initiative and the establishment by Ukraine of a new corridor for its exports in 2023, the United Nations has continued to provide its support.
We advocated for free and safe navigation in the Black Sea to enable the normalization of exports to global markets.
The Secretary-General continues to make his good offices available towards this objective, as well as in related areas in the protection of civilian infrastructure.
However, the only lasting solution is an end to the war.
The United Nations’ position remains consistent and principled: We continue to call for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
A ceasefire that can help pave the way for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions.
Thank you.