<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and visiting United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which expires on March 18, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking after a meeting with Guterres in Kiev, Zelensky stressed the importance of the initiative for global food security.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative after March 18 is critically necessary for the whole world," Zelensky said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For his part, Guterres said that about 23 million tons of grain were exported under the initiative, which helped lower the global food prices.</div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I would like to note the extreme importance of continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative," Guterres said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On July 22, 2022, Russia and Ukraine separately signed a document in Istanbul with T?rkiye and the UN to allow Ukraine and Russia to export grain and fertilizer to ensure supplies to global markets amid the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The deal, due to expire on Nov. 19, 2022, was extended for another 120 days. Guterres has repeatedly called for the deal's further extension. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>