On April 23, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) David Beasley.

David Beasley initiated the conversation. The parties noted the need to intensify international humanitarian efforts to combat hunger in East Africa amid possible disruptions in food supplies due to the negative economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They exchanged views on the current humanitarian situation and deepening cooperation between Russia and the WFP in providing food aid to Syria, Venezuela, DPRK, Ethiopia, as well as to those affected in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

Among other key topics the preparation for the forthcoming UN Food Systems Summit (New York, September 2021) was also considered.

The parties noted the importance of providing assistance to countries in need without any political preconditions.