People are waiting for food relief in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner spoke of soaring public debt and the Russia-Ukraine conflict's impact on food and energy prices. He said the conflict in Ukraine, the world's top grain producer, has reduced grain exports, driving up grain prices and disrupting supply chains.

Steiner said if an agreement could be made to end the conflict and release the grain stocks currently in the silos in the Ukraine, supply chains and prices would be immediately rectified, at least partially.