The focus was on Ukrainian grain exports and the restoration of port infrastructure.
Key Ukrainian officials, including Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and Yuliya Svyridenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, attended the event. Yermak emphasized that Russia's aggression has deepened the global food crisis, where one in 11 people worldwide is already malnourished. Despite the war, Ukraine remains a crucial player in ensuring global food security.
The discussions centered around ensuring the free and safe navigation of the Black Sea and Azov Sea for Ukrainian grain exports. This includes demining trade routes and reinforcing Ukrainian port infrastructure with air defense systems. The continuation of the "Grain from Ukraine" program and further demining of agricultural lands were also highlighted as necessary steps to secure and increase Ukrainian agricultural production.
In 2023-2024, Ukraine exported nearly 70 million tons of grain, oilseeds, and oil, significantly boosting wheat exports to Africa by 41% and sunflower oil by 153%, thanks to the reopening of Odesa’s ports. Deputy National Security Advisor to the U.S. President, John Feiner, praised Ukraine’s resilience and its efforts to protect food exports despite ongoing Russian aggression.
The conference concluded with a Joint Communiqué, marking it as the second thematic conference under the Peace Formula, following the one focused on energy security. Preparations for the next event, which will focus on the release of captured and deported Ukrainians, are underway. These initiatives support the broader peace plan launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
