UN To Set Up New Task Force To Safeguard World’s Busiest Oil Route Amid Rising War Risks

The United Nations said on Friday it is setting up a task force to design a mechanism to keep trade moving through the Strait of Hormuz, as the ongoing Iran war raises concerns about global supply disruptions.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said immediate action is needed to reduce these risks. He added that Jorge Moreira da Silva, Under-Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Office for Project Services, will lead the project.

The task force will now begin discussions with member states to understand how the plan can be put into action, with support expected from all countries involved, especially to protect people already affected by the situation.

According to the UN, the idea is to build a system that ensures ships can continue passing through the Strait of Hormuz without major disruption.

The task force is expected to take guidance from earlier UN efforts such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which helped move grain from Ukraine during the war, and the mechanism set up under UN Resolution 2720 for Gaza.

Fertilizer shipments have already been affected and energy prices are rising. This is putting pressure on food supplies, especially in countries that rely on imports.

A recent analysis by the World Food Programme warned that tens of millions of more people could face acute hunger if the Iran war continues until June.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important shipping routes in the world, carrying a large share of global oil and energy supplies. Any disruption in this route can quickly impact fuel prices, food costs, and trade flows across regions.

Reference: Reuters