The United Nations is working on a trust mechanism aimed at facilitating the transport of fertilizer and certain related raw materials through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN called on member states to participate in the initiative seriously and constructively. Consultations with member states over the past four months secured support for the proposal.
Guterres highlights importance of maritime transport
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres drew attention to the impact of disruptions to maritime trade caused by global conflicts on the food system. Guterres said conflicts in the Middle East had disrupted maritime transport through the straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, adding that the Russia-Ukraine war also posed a threat to maritime routes.
Guterres said these developments were placing particularly strong pressure on the global food system and stressed that maritime passages must not be used as a tool of coercion under any circumstances. He emphasized that the world's food supply must not become a collateral consequence of conflicts.
Guterres said freedom of maritime transport was vital not only to international peace and security but also to the transport of food, energy resources and essential raw materials. He therefore asked member states to support the working group established in March to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trust mechanism could be expanded
Guterres said the working group had initially developed a mechanism focused on transporting fertilizer and certain related raw materials. He added that the mechanism's scope could later be expanded to include other products.
Guterres said the new arrangement would not alter member states' obligations under international law and noted that the UN could serve as a neutral mediator in the process. He called on all relevant institutions to participate seriously and constructively.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services, said the mechanism was ready to be launched if countries in the region demonstrated the necessary political will.
