The U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative signed between the world body, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey in July 2022 has been vital to allow food supplies to reach global markets.
Russia announced it will no longer allow Ukraine to ship food to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia threatened by growing hunger and poverty.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday – the day the Black Sea Grain Initiative was set to expire – that Russia would suspend the deal. Russia's war on Ukraine has disrupted both countries' globally important food exports.
The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity has increased every year since 2019.
The U.N. body also demands Israel be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The ruling orders Israel to allow aid trucks loaded with food and supplies to enter Gaza unhindered "without delay."
WHO warns disease and hunger are at alarming levels in the Congo, where almost 10 million people are on the move.
Fourteen cases remain under investigation by U.N. investigators, who have met with authorities in Israel.
The chair of the talks called for optimism despite divisions among plastic-producing nations and those urging restraints.
The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity has increased every year since 2019.
The group of organizations that reviewed the U.N. agency recommends several ways of strengthening its neutrality.
