Rome: Italy and Croatia have spearheaded a new initiative, the Rome Coalition on Fertilizer Access and Food Security, in collaboration with about 40 countries and international organizations, to bolster global food supply chains amid ongoing disruptions linked to instability in the Strait of Hormuz. This development was announced by the Italian Foreign Ministry following a ministerial meeting in Rome, co-chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman, who currently presides over the rotating MED9 presidency.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting saw participation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and several international organizations. In a joint statement, the co-chairs emphasized a collective understanding of the necessity to advance the Rome Coalition on Fertilizer Access and Food Security. They stressed the importance of coordinated international efforts to tackle supply chain vulnerabilities.
The statement highlighted that growing instability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, particularly disruptions affecting maritime security and strategic routes near the Strait of Hormuz, are exerting significant pressure on global food and fertilizer supply chains. These pressures are especially detrimental to import-dependent countries in Africa and the Mediterranean.
Participants at the meeting concurred on the urgency of reinforcing coordination at the international level to enhance food security, economic resilience, and regional stability. They also advocated for improved diversification of supply chains, enhanced logistics connectivity, and increased investment in resilient agri-food systems.
The Italian Foreign Ministry described the initiative as an inclusive platform designed to foster cooperation among producing, transit, and importing countries to ensure the continuity of supply flows and improve access to fertilizers. Foreign Minister Tajani noted that the coalition reflects mounting concerns over the impacts of disruptions in strategic maritime routes, which exacerbate global food insecurity and affect prices and the availability of agricultural inputs.
Discussions during the meeting also included FAO's analysis of the impact of disruptions in the Gulf region. The ministry underscored the necessity for strengthened global coordination to counteract price volatility and bolster food system resilience. The initiative aims to contribute to broader international and Mediterranean efforts focusing on food security, resilience-building, and stability in global supply chains.
The backdrop of these efforts is increasing regional tension since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, leading to retaliatory actions by Tehran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire that began on April 8, facilitated by Pakistani mediation, failed to secure a lasting resolution, although US President Donald Trump extended the truce without a specified deadline. Since April 13, the US has implemented a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in this strategic passageway.