UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a recent media interview that the crisis in Ukraine could lead to poverty and hunger for as many as 1.7 billion people, more than one fifth of the global population. Guterres said in an interview published by Czech media on the 17th that the Ukrainian crisis "has caused a silent blow to developing countries", which may plunge 1.7 billion people into poverty and hunger, "on a scale not seen in decades". Guterres said that the output of wheat and barley in Russia and Ukraine together accounted for 30% of the global output, the total output of corn in the two countries accounted for one fifth, and the output of sunflower seed oil accounted for more than half. Guterres said that the Ukrainian crisis led to limited food exports and supply chain disruptions, which led to soaring prices. Since the beginning of this year, the prices of wheat and corn have increased by 30%, the price of Brent crude oil futures in London has increased by more than 60%, and the prices of natural gas and fertilizer have more than doubled. Christalina georgiyeva, President of the International Monetary Fund, said on the 14th that affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the economic growth forecast of 143 economies will be lowered this year, accounting for 86% of the global economy. The International Monetary Fund, the world bank, the World Food Programme and the World Trade Organization issued a joint statement on the 13th, calling on all parties to carry out joint action as soon as possible to maintain food security. (Xinhua News Agency)