The illegal blocking of supplies of Belarusian fertilizers has endangered food security in the world, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov said at the UN Security Council open debate on conflict-induced famine and food insecurity, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The diplomat thanked the US delegation for the opportunity to discuss global food security, but said that Belarus could not support the joint communiqué. “In line with the best democratic traditions, the text of the document was not submitted for consideration, no consultations were held, there were no opportunities to put forward amendments. The document does not say a word about one of the main threats to food security - illegal unilateral sanctions. We have repeatedly reiterated at various levels and international platforms that the West’s illegal sanctions against Belarus, including against its potash industry, have a devastating impact on global food security,” Valentin Rybakov said.
The representative of Belarus emphasized that the exemptions from the sanctions, which are often publicly mentioned, are a sham and do not work - the sanctions completely block the supply of Belarusian fertilizers and food.
At the same time, potassium is crucial for crop production. “Fertilizers determine what kind of harvest we will have. Half of the food consumed by the world’s population is grown thanks to fertilizers. Removing fertilizers from the field means a 50% drop in yields. Every second person in the world depends on agricultural products that are grown using fertilizers,” said Valentin Rybakov.
Belarus is one of the world’s largest producers of potash fertilizers. Before the transit of Belarusian potash through the Baltic Sea ports was illegally banned, which is a direct violation of the rights of a landlocked country, Belarus’ share in the world trade in potash fertilizers was about 20%. Every fifth tonne of potash fertilizers in the world was produced in Belarus.
“The illegal unilateral actions of Lithuania and other Western countries to block the supply of Belarusian fertilizers have already jeopardized the food security of not just individual countries, but entire regions and continents,” the diplomat stressed.
According to the data that he cited, Belarus’ share in the potash fertilizer markets of Africa nosedived from 42% to 3% in 2022. “According to our estimates based on FAO data, the almost complete removal of Belarus from the list of potassium suppliers last year led to a drop in the grain harvest in Africa by 16%,” said Valentin Rybakov.
In 2023, the supply of Belarusian potassium to Africa is completely paralyzed due to Lithuania. At the same time, it should be taken into account that many countries of the continent relied solely on Belarusian fertilizers, while in a number of other countries Belarusian potassium met 50% or their potash needs.
“Fertilizer shortages are reported not only by corn and wheat growers, but also by producers of all other major crops, including rice, which will have a devastating impact on livelihoods of billions of people in Asia and South America in the near future. At our next meetings we will have to discuss not the lack of access to fertilizers, but the shocking statistics on victims of the global hunger crisis,” the diplomat warned.
Reports and studies of such authoritative international organizations and agencies as the UN, FAO, WTO, World Bank, International Fertilizer Association confirm Belarus’ conclusions that the current shortage of potash fertilizers in the world will significantly reduce yields and cause a sharp increase in food prices. Many farmers are already forced to cut production as fertilizers become more expensive than the grain they grow and sell.
“Illegal sanctions are a weapon of war. They were imposed against the Republic of Belarus unilaterally, in violation of all norms of international law, without mandates of the UN Security Council, under far-fetched pretexts. The authors of the sanctions and those who implement them violate the most important human right - the right to life, dooming millions of people to starvation and death. Western states should drop illegal unilateral sanctions as their favorite tool of war. This will be their real contribution to ensuring global food security,” the permanent representative of Belarus concluded.
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,
dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI
Hallo Radio Belarus,
ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.
Dietmar
Answer:
Lieber Dietmar,
das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!
I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA
Answer:
Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng
Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng
73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)
Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!
My name is Michael.
I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.
Lots of love from UK
Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture
Michael Rogers
Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham
B17 8LG
United Kingdom
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Michael,
thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!
Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?
Thank you,
Joe Cosimo
23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.
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Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!
Hello,
My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:
Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie
Thank you.
Answer:
Dear Younes Lazazi,
we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!
Dear English Service Radio Belarus,
Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
We are waiting for your reply.
With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
President
Metali Listeners' Club
India
Answer:
Dear Shivendu Paul,
thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!
Hello!
Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!
Answer:
Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar
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see satellite parameters here
