Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, warned that a combination of factors including the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 crisis, and climate change is creating a dire situation for many developing countries. The UN's official report highlighted the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine on the global economy, with up to 1.7 billion people, including many already living in poverty, facing disruptions in food, energy, and finance. Rising energy prices, inflation, and stalled development are putting countries at risk of defaulting on their debts, particularly those already struggling to provide their populations with basic needs. The report emphasized the challenges faced by countries with limited resources and high debt burdens in coping with the current financial conditions. The report indicated that 107 countries are significantly impacted by at least one of the three crisis dimensions, with 69 countries severely affected by all three. Ukraine and Russia are major wheat and barley suppliers, accounting for approximately 30% of the world's production. The ongoing war has led to record high commodity prices, with food prices up 34% compared to last year and crude oil prices rising by around 60%. Developing countries are especially vulnerable to these price fluctuations, which could result in social unrest. The report suggests that quick action, political determination, and available resources could help mitigate the impact. Recommendations include not stockpiling food supplies, supporting small farmers, maintaining stable freight costs, and removing export restrictions. Governments are urged to release strategic fuel reserves to the global market and decrease the use of wheat for fuel. Text = Copyright The New York Times Company.