UN Project Services Head Calls for Immediate Fertilizer Passage Through Strait of Hormuz

Updated 2 min 44 sec ago

November 14, 2026 20:01

ANTALYA, Turkiye: Iran and the United States should “immediately” allow fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to ease the crisis in some of the most vulnerable countries, a senior UN official said Saturday.

Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, made the remarks at the COP31 climate talks in Antalya. He warned that the lack of fertilizers could push millions into poverty.

• Jorge Moreira da Silva highlighted the risk of millions falling into poverty due to fertilizer shortages.
• The Iranian blockade of the vital waterway has severely impacted the most vulnerable nations.

The Iranian blockade, which began after the joint US‑Israeli attack on Iran in late February, has choked shipping in the region and beyond. A parallel US blockade of Iranian ports has further complicated matters.

While Iran and the United States continue to negotiate an end to the conflict, Moreira da Silva delivered the same message to both sides. “They should continue their negotiations about the comprehensive deal — but that deal should not avoid an immediate, exceptional, limited, and time‑bound solution for the fertilizers,” he said. “Basically what we need is five vessels a day with fertilizers,” he added.

Millions at risk

The UN task force, headed by Moreira da Silva, is dedicated to facilitating the safe passage of fertilizers during the crisis. Prior to the conflict, one‑third of global fertilizers transited the Strait of Hormuz, and prices have risen by roughly 30 percent since the blockades began.

The impact is especially severe for the poorest nations. Sudan’s finance minister told him that food prices had doubled in six months, while Nepali farmers report they can no longer afford fertilizer. “Countries such as Mozambique, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are facing very significant impact,” he noted.

If planting seasons continue to be missed worldwide, he warned, up to 45 million people could confront severe food insecurity and 30 million could be driven into poverty. “We may have 30 million people being forced into poverty,” he said.

The United Nations has a system ready to resume fertilizer shipments within seven to ten days, he concluded.

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