Over 50 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have committed to supporting Ukraine to export agri-food products.

Ireland was among the signatories of the joint statement of solidarity with Ukraine at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The signatories also included the UK, EU and US.

The WTO members reiterated their full support for the people of country which was invaded by Russia in February.

"We express our deep sadness at the devastating human losses and profound suffering caused by the aggression against Ukraine," a statement read.

"The destruction of a significant part of Ukraine’s transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, ports and railroads, is substantially impeding Ukraine’s ability to produce, export, and import.

"We are also deeply concerned by numerous reports of grain being plundered from Ukraine. These actions are at odds with the principles and values of the WTO," the members added.

The statement stressed the need for trade routes, including shipping ports, to remain open, adding that the food security consequences arising from the ongoing war are "dramatic".

Ukraine is one of the world’s top exporters of key agricultural products and is a major supplier to the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP).

"This risks pushing millions of people into food insecurity, adding to the already severe situation caused by Covid-19," the WTO members outlined.

They pledged to support Ukraine to facilitate its exports and to encourage other WTO members to do likewise. This would include facilitating the use of infrastructure and simplifying customs procedures.

The WTO members also pledged to continue to provide humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainian civilians and to help rebuild the country "as soon as circumstances permit".