"Those who have always been invisible will be at the center of the international agenda," says President Lula at the opening of the G20 Brasil Summit

Brasil's president officially launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during the opening ceremony of the G20 Summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, November 18. For Lula, hunger is unacceptable in a world where Four hundred million tons of food are produced per year. The Alliance already has a website for more information.

By Thayara Martins/G20 Brasil

On a sunny morning in Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially inaugurated the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty at the opening of the G20 Heads of State and Government Summit on Monday, November 18, at the Museum of Modern Art. Presidents Joe Biden (USA), Olaf Scholz (Germany), Xi Jinping (China), and Emmanuel Macron (France) attended the ceremony, along with other leaders of the world's largest economies and invited countries. 

President Lula cited data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showing that 733 million people are undernourished in 2024. The Brazilian president emphasized that these are women, men, and children whose rights to life, education, and food have been denied. He pointed out that in a world where 400 million tons of food are produced per year, in addition to military spending on the order of 2.4 trillion dollars, hunger is unacceptable.

"Hunger and poverty are not caused by scarcity or natural phenomena but result from political decisions perpetuating the exclusion of a significant part of humanity. It is up to those who are here to put an end to this scourge that shames society. This will be our greatest legacy. This is not just about doing justice; it is a fundamental condition for building more prosperous societies and a peaceful world. And Brasil knows it is possible with the participation of civil society," said Lula, citing the Bolsa Família and School Feeding programs as examples of successful social policies in Brasil that yield results. 

According to President Lula, those who have long been invisible will now be at the center of the international agenda, supported by the Alliance, which already has the backing of 81 countries, 26 international organizations, nine financial institutions, and 31 philanthropic foundations and non-governmental organizations.

Alliance Portal is already in the air

The portal is dedicated to providing technical, detailed, and up-to-date information about the Global Alliance, serving as a resource for those interested in joining this collective effort. The website is available in Portuguese and English and offers access to event agendas, the latest news, participation guidelines, and key Alliance documents, such as the Declaration of Commitment. 

The Set of Policies, an instrument of the Global Alliance, is also available. It offers a selection of rigorously evaluated policy programs and tools that can be tailored to specific national or regional contexts. 

Global Alliance

Throughout the year, multiple meetings were held to discuss the development of the Global Alliance, aimed at accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eradicate hunger and poverty. 

The Alliance supports country-driven, evidence-based programs by enhancing international cooperation and promoting knowledge exchange. It is open to all qualified countries and organizations that want to participate.

*Translated by PGET-UFSC