President Lula Launches Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty at G20 Summit
hunger is unacceptable in a world where six billion tons of food are produced per year.
Date: 19/11/2024
G20 Leaders’ Summit
Rio de Janeiro
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during the opening ceremony of the G20 Summit at the Museum of Art of Rio de Janeiro. The event was attended by prominent global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside heads of state from the world’s largest economies and invited nations.
President Lula highlighted Brazil’s own progress, such as the “Brazil Without Hunger” program, which has drastically reduced food insecurity within the country. This national success story serves as a blueprint for global action through the Alliance
The Alliance’s launch builds on early actions from the G20 Task Force established under Brazil’s presidency, signaling a commitment to lasting international collaboration. Its initiatives, focusing on resilience against crises like climate change and conflict, underline a systemic approach to addressing hunger and poverty at their roots
Tackling Global Hunger: A Moral and Political Imperative
Citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), President Lula highlighted that 733 million people globally suffer from hunger, despite the world producing six billion tons of food annually and allocating $2.4 trillion to military spending.
“Hunger and poverty are not the result of scarcity or natural phenomena. Hunger is a biological expression of social ills, caused by political decisions that perpetuate exclusion. Ending this scourge is our shared responsibility,” President Lula stated, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these challenges during his keynote address.
A Global Mission for Change
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty has already gained the support of 81 countries and 26 international organizations. President Lula expressed gratitude to those contributing to the Alliance’s success, including nations and institutions pledging financial support.
“This initiative, born from a year of intense work, marks the beginning of a global movement. While it was launched at the G20, its mission transcends borders,” he said, reiterating the importance of prioritizing those historically marginalized in international policies.
An Open Call for Global Participation
The Alliance invites participation from all qualified nations and organizations committed to combating hunger and poverty worldwide. With an ambitious agenda, it seeks to reshape the global approach to one of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Key elements of the Alliance include:
- Empowering Farmers and Local Communities: The initiative aims to support 100 million smallholder farmers worldwide by providing financial resources, education, and access to sustainable farming technologies. This is expected to improve food security while fostering local economic growth.
- Comprehensive Social Protections: The Alliance promotes programs such as school feeding, maternal and early childhood nutrition initiatives, and food assistance linked to social protection schemes. These policies aim to alleviate immediate hunger while addressing systemic inequalities.
- Global Coordination and Funding: Participating countries and organizations are working to raise funds and implement policies tailored to local needs. The Alliance stresses partnerships between governments, international organizations, and development banks to create scalable and sustainable solutions
Key Highlights
- Venue: Museum of Art of Rio de Janeiro
- Attendees: Leaders from the G20 and invited nations
- Support Base: 81 countries, 26 international organizations
This historic initiative underscores a global commitment to end hunger and poverty, setting the stage for transformative change on an international scale.
