In February, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent formal letters to three national leaders: Vladimir Putin of Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. The communications were conveyed through the UN press office, which heretofore has described the secretary-general’s appeals as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach to all relevant parties (UN Press Office, February 2025).
According to the spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the UN continues to engage with all involved to safeguard critical global operations. The aim is to ensure that trade can keep flowing, that food supplies reach markets, and that shipping lanes remain secure for commercial vessels and humanitarian convoys alike. This line of effort is particularly vital as global food security rests on reliable export routes and stable logistics networks that connect producers with consumers across continents (Dujarric, UN Press Office, February 2025).
The secretary-general underscored the significance of exporting food and agricultural commodities through the Black Sea region. The Black Sea corridor is a key artery for many countries’ food supplies and a focal point in international discussions about market stability, safe passage for ships, and the easing of supply chain bottlenecks. The situation remains a pressing concern for the global market and for countries that depend on steady food imports (UN Briefing Notes, February 2025).
Dujarric further noted that ships moving through the Black Sea face real risks, including naval mines and potential attacks on port facilities. The risk environment directly impacts insurance costs, voyage timing, and the reliability of shipments, which reverberates through global food prices and availability for vulnerable populations (UN Security Brief, February 2025).
Earlier remarks by Guterres at the Munich Security Conference touched on broader systemic topics. He spoke about the implications of an aging global financial framework and the pressure it faces in a rapidly shifting world. His observations highlighted the need for resilient financial mechanisms that support stable, inclusive growth and reduce the exposure of developing economies to volatile capital flows (Munich Security Conference remarks, February 2025).
In a related thread of discussion, the former secretary-general has repeatedly warned about the hazards associated with a multipolar geopolitical landscape. He emphasized that a diversification of power must be managed with strong international rules, transparent cooperation, and mechanisms that protect the least advantaged nations from abrupt shifts in the global order. The emphasis remains on building consensus around shared interests, rather than allowing fragmentation to undermine collective security and development goals (UN Statements Archive, February 2025).