Russia-Ukraine War: Okonjo-Iweala laments devastating effect, says cost of bread, others will rise

CenturyPost March 3, 2022

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The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has described the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as a tragedy that will devastate the ordinary peoples by pushing up the cost of bread, among other things.

She specifically said the war in Ukraine will hurt wheat consumers as the country is a major exporter of wheat.

In a statement on Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala said the WTO is worried about the implications of the war.

Okonjo-Iweala said: ”At the WTO, we have watched this tragedy in Ukraine unfold with disbelief and the hope that it would have been peacefully resolved,” the statement reads.

“However, this is now the 7th day and we are deeply saddened by the continued suffering and loss of life. We pray that there will be a peaceful and quick resolution.

“We are also concerned about the trade implications of the conflict, especially trade in agriculture and food products and the rise in energy prices and their effects on the impacted population.”

“We are also concerned about the trade implications of the conflict, especially trade in agriculture and food products and the rise in energy prices and their effects on the impacted population,” she added.

Speaking at a virtual event with IMF Chief, Kristalina Georgieva, Okonjo-Iweala said the war will have a “big impact on wheat prices and prices of bread for ordinary people as well.”