Merve Aydogan
27 March 2026•Update: 28 March 2026
HAMILTON, Canada
The UN on Friday announced that it has established a dedicated task force to address the humanitarian consequences of disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran war.
"As the conflict in the Middle East unfolds and threatens to intensify, disruptions in maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz risk creating ripple effects impacting humanitarian needs and agricultural production in the coming months," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.
Stressing that immediate action is essential, Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the UN Office for Project Services, to lead the task force.
The task force will also bring together representatives from the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Chamber of Commerce, with additional entities to be invited as needed, Dujarric told reporters.
Drawing inspiration from existing UN mechanisms, including the UN Verification, Inspection and Monitoring Mechanism for Yemen, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and the UN2720 Mechanism for Gaza, Dujarric said the new mechanism aims to facilitate fertilizer trade, including the movement of related raw materials, with full respect for national sovereignty and established international legal frameworks.
The UN2720 mechanism for Gaza demands the protection of civilians and the full delivery of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
He further announced that the UN chief's personal envoy, Jean Arnault, will lead political engagement with relevant member states, supported by the task force, as part of Guterres' broader peacemaking mandate.
"If successful, it would also create confidence among Member States on the diplomatic approach to the conflict and constitute a valuable step towards a wider political settlement," Dujarric added.
Asked if there would be a UN Security Council resolution on the task force, Dujarric said: "We are not there yet."
"Obviously, it will be important to have the full backing of the Member States. And this is why the Secretary-General is involved in consultations right now," he added.
Emphasizing that the task force is focused on "the humanitarian end," he also explained that "if we can't plant in the next few months, it will have a ripple effect on hunger down the line."
"We will work with relevant Member States, while recognizing their sovereignty, international law on how to operationalize this," Dujarric added.
