The war in ukraine is producing a rise in food and fuel costs that, in a world already in crisis as a result of COVID-19, can have serious consequences, especially in the most vulnerable countries, warned today the head of trade and development of the UN, Rebecca Grynspan.
“This crisis will increase inequalities throughout the world,” the secretary general of the UN Conference for Trade and Development (Unctad) warned in a statement, predicting that “all countries will be affected, but they will be especially developing economies hit.
In those countries, already hit by the pandemic, climate change and indebtedness, price increases “will increase the pressure on the poorest households, those who spend almost all their income on food, which will bring hunger and difficulties,” he assured. Costa Rican politician and economist.
“This should worry us a lot, because social and political stability is closely linked to increases in food prices,” he warned.
Grynspan also predicts that the war will produce changes in global trade and investment and a setback in the use of alternative energies, key in the fight against climate change.
“All this threatens the progress made towards recovery from the pandemic, and blocks the path to sustainable development,” summarized the UNCTAD secretary general.
