United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined a plan to reestablish the grain agreement by proposing a robust framework of mutual guarantees among all participants. The aim is to create a stable, verifiable set of assurances that can support continued exports of food and related inputs, ensuring that every party feels secure in meeting its commitments and in receiving the benefits that come from reliable trade through the Black Sea route. This approach centers on rebuilding trust through concrete, enforceable commitments and transparent verification mechanisms that reassure producers, traders, and importing countries alike.
The Secretary-General emphasized that such a system is designed to help Russia, if it chooses to participate again, to navigate the export pathway more smoothly and predictably. In his assessment, the remaining obstacles can be addressed through cooperative guarantees, clear dispute-resolution procedures, and practical safeguards that reduce risk for all sides involved in the shipments of grain and fertilizer. This framing seeks to transform political disagreements into practical operational assurances that keep cargo moving while preserving the option for all parties to reassess positions over time.
According to the Secretary-General, the majority of the immediate challenges surrounding the agreement have already been resolved or are near resolution. He pointed to progress in areas such as safety assurances for maritime navigation, insurance risk settlements, and the simplification of bureaucratic steps that previously slowed consignment flows. The overall message is that the core hurdle is not structural impossibility but a need for credible guarantees that can be trusted by governments, commercial operators, and global markets alike.
Guterres also noted that a portion of the international community that engaged with the grain initiative began to question whether Russia would revert to the agreement, a doubt that carried with it hesitancy and reluctance among some partners to recommit. He suggested that such doubts are natural in a complex, high-stakes context and underscored the value of a renewed assurance framework that makes participation less risky and more predictable for all involved stakeholders. The message conveyed was one of cautious optimism: with the right guarantees, confidence can be restored, and willingness to participate can grow again across different regions and sectors.
In describing the path forward, the Secretary-General stressed that the United Nations is intensifying its efforts to foster an environment where mutual guarantees can be provided and relied upon in the long term. This includes coordinating with member states, international organizations, shipping entities, and financial institutions to align incentives, reduce friction, and promote consistent application of agreed rules. The objective is not a one-off settlement but a stable framework that endures beyond immediate political cycles and generates measurable improvements in food security for vulnerable populations.
Restoring the grain deal remains a central objective for the organization, reflecting its broader mission to alleviate hunger, stabilize global food markets, and support sustainable development. The Secretary-General highlighted that progress toward reactivating the agreement would have ripple effects beyond the shipping lanes, touching on agricultural livelihoods, price stability, and the reliability of humanitarian assistance. The emphasis is on building a resilient system that can withstand geopolitical shocks while continuing to deliver essential commodities to those in need across various regions.
The most recent shipment previously covered by the grain agreement has departed from the Black Sea, marking a tangible point in the ongoing discussions about reviving the mechanism. Observers note that the current momentum hinges on the perceived credibility of the guarantee framework and the willingness of all parties to adhere to shared rules. While challenges persist, the overall tone conveys readiness to move forward, leveraging diplomatic channels, technical cooperation, and monitoring to ensure that grain and fertilizer supplies can flow again with greater predictability and security for international markets and vulnerable populations alike. [Attribution: United Nations]”