Belarus Urges the Lifting of Sanctions Impeding Hunger Relief Efforts

Speaking at the meeting of the Second Committee of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Igor Sekreta urged the abandonment of unilateral measures that hamper efforts to ensure food security. The text of the deputy minister's speech is published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.

According to Sekreta, the situation in global food security continues to deteriorate. He reported that approximately 700 million people suffer from hunger despite the world's resources being sufficient to supply everyone with food.

The Belarusian diplomat identified conflicts as the main factor of the crisis, stating that the escalation in the Middle East has caused significant disruptions in the supply of energy and fertilizers through the Strait of Hormuz. Since February 2026, the cost of fertilizers has increased by more than 100 dollars per ton, which he said poses a direct threat to the next season's harvest.

In addition to conflicts, Sekreta noted climate phenomena such as droughts, floods, and soil degradation, which reduce food production in already vulnerable regions. The deputy minister stated that the combination of these circumstances creates a risk of decreased food output in the medium term.

Separately, Sekreta opposed unilateral coercive measures. He stated that restrictions on fertilizer producers, including Belarus, create an artificial shortage in global markets, raise prices, and limit farmers' access in the poorest countries to necessary resources.

According to data provided by the deputy minister, last year Belarus exported food worth 10 billion dollars. Sekreta stated that the country shares its experience and technology with other states, including several African countries. Minsk, he said, believes that food security is ensured through cooperation, technology, techniques, and an open market, rather than through sanctions and barriers.