Initiated by a group of Ukrainian parliamentarians in 2024, the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa has become the first and largest geopolitical event in the south of Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
To establish the annual international platform for addressing security challenges in the Black Sea region and beyond — a focal point of intense geopolitical contention.
Odesa is Ukraine’s maritime gateway, a hot spot of global geopolitics, the biggest city in the south of Ukraine, and one of the biggest ports in the Black Sea region. It serves as a nexus for trade, finance, and culture in Eastern Europe, solidifying its status as the largest city in the Black Sea region.
For the first time since World War II, one of the largest Black Sea ports faced a maritime blockade. In February 2022, Russian forces began obstructing exports and imports from Odesa, threatening not only Ukraine’s economy but also global food security. Before 2022, Odesa’s ports exported approximately 50 million tons of grain annually—enough to feed nearly 400 million people worldwide.
Overcoming the blockade was not just a strategic victory—it was a turning point with global repercussions.
It’s mid-game now and the future of the region depends on our next move.