A deal on a U.N. plan to unblock the shipment of Ukrainian grain and to allow Russia to export grain and fertilizers was signed in Istanbul Friday.

The Turkish president’s office said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and officials from Russia and Ukraine are overseeing the signing ceremony.

Guterres has been working on a plan that would enable Ukraine to export millions of grain stockpiles that have been stuck in Ukraine’s Black Sea ports due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 Guterres announced a centre to monitor implementation of the agreement.

The deal could ease a global food crisis that has sent wheat and other grain prices soaring.
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(with files from Canadian Press)