G20 leaders have inaugurated the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty at the opening session of the 19th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The alliance, endorsed by all member nations, aims to implement targeted initiatives from 2025 to 2030 to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty globally. It will be spearheaded by a dedicated Task Force, leveraging international collaboration.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose administration pre-launched the alliance in July, emphasized its wide-ranging support from over 80 nations and various civil society organizations. According to Da Silva, the initiative aims to combine resources and expertise to enhance public policies and social technologies proven to combat global hunger and poverty effectively.
“Ending hunger is not just a matter of justice; it is fundamental for building peaceful and prosperous societies,” Da Silva stated. He highlighted Brazil’s commitment to global leadership on this issue, drawing from successful domestic programs like Zero Hunger and Bolsa Família, which he introduced during his earlier presidency.
Da Silva noted that while global food production exceeds 6 billion tons annually, hunger persists due to social inequities rather than scarcity. He cited data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which reports 733 million people suffering from hunger worldwide.
The alliance will operate independently of the G20’s rotating presidency, with administrative hubs in Brasília, under the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, and Rome, within the FAO. Financial backing has already been pledged, including a $25 billion loan initiative from the Inter-American Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, pending board approval.
“This initiative is essential to accelerate investments and place the invisible – those suffering most – at the heart of the global agenda,” Da Silva said, urging non-G20 countries to join the alliance.
He concluded by referencing the worsening global challenges since 2008, including escalating armed conflicts, climate crises, and growing inequalities, underscoring the alliance’s critical role in fostering a world free from hunger.
