Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala visited Kyiv, capital of Ukraine on Thursday, August 17.
She met Ukranian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who thanked the WTO for its political support and assistance in overcoming the challenges posed by Russia, which is provoking a global food crisis.
The visit was her first to the war torn country in 15 years.
The parties discussed the development of trade and its digitalisation.
Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala also went to Irpin, in Kyiv where she was shown the massive destruction caused by Russia’s war. Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn announced this on Telegram.
According to the mayor, he showed the WTO head the aftermath of Russians’ crimes in the town.
“The last time Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala visited Ukraine was 15 years ago, so today she was both impressed by our development over the time and by the terrible destruction that the Russians inflicted on us. She informed that the World Trade Organization will join the reconstruction of our country. Financial assistance will be provided at the state level,” Markushyn said.
He informed about one more good news from the WTO head: “The World Trade Organization is launching programmes to support small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy.”
Recall in July that the WTO Boss faulted Russia’s decision to halt its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
In a tweet, the former Nigerian Minister of Finance expressed disappointment, saying the stoppage of the deal would be felt most severely by poor countries.
“Deeply disappointed at the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the interruption of the grain trade from Ukraine. I share UN SG at antonioguterres’ regret and concern,” she tweeted.
“Black Sea trade in food, feed & fertilizer is critical to the stability of global food prices. Sad to say that poor people & poor countries are hardest hit. Let’s keep hope alive on renewal.”
This came as Russia said it would no longer cooperate with a deal that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine’s grain.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The initiative was established in July 2022 to abate a global food crisis after Russia invaded Ukraine — a neighboring country and fellow key grain exporter.
The deal allowed for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
