The United Nations has taken urgent action to mitigate the escalating risks posed by disruptions in maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint.
As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, the potential for severe ripple effects on humanitarian needs and agricultural production worldwide has prompted the Secretary-General to establish a dedicated Task Force and pursue diplomatic solutions.
The Looming Crisis: Food Security and Global Trade at Risk
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global trade, which typically handles approximately 35% of global crude oil flows, one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG), up to 30% of internationally traded fertilizers daily.
Recent escalations have seen tanker traffic collapse by over 90% within days, triggering what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Chief Economist, Máximo Torero, describes as “one of the most severe shocks to global commodity flows in recent years”.
This disruption is not merely an energy shock but a systemic one affecting the agrifood systems globally, with significant implications for food security, agricultural production, and global markets.
The economic impacts are far-reaching. Brent crude prices have risen above $90 per barrel, and higher energy, fertilizer, and transport costs are expected to increase food costs and intensify cost-of-living pressures, particularly for vulnerable populations. 
War-risk insurance premiums have surged from 0.25% to as high as 10% of vessel value, further compounding shipping constraints.
The UNCTAD highlights that these disruptions underscore the vulnerability of critical maritime chokepoints to geopolitical tensions and their potential to transmit shocks across supply chains and commodity markets.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Looms
The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that if the conflict persists, an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute food insecurity, adding to the 318 million already facing hunger globally. 
This could lead to global hunger levels last seen at the start of the Ukraine war. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on food and fuel imports, with projected increases in food-insecure people ranging from 14% to 24% across different regions.
The IMO expresses deep concern for the well-being and safety of approximately 20,000 seafarers, port workers, and offshore crews impacted in the region, emphasizing that humanitarian and safety implications remain their primary concern.
Several incidents involving seafarer fatalities and injuries have already been reported.UN’s Coordinated Response
In response to this multifaceted crisis, the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has established a dedicated Task Force led by Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
This Task Force includes representatives from UNCTAD, IMO, and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), with additional entities to be invited as needed.
Its primary focus is to develop and propose technical mechanisms to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives such as the UN Verification, Inspection and Monitoring Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM), the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), and the UN2720 Mechanism for Gaza.
