Fighting hunger is the "central objective” of Brazil’s G20 presidency under Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The former factory worker, born into a poor family, is the driving force behind the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, launched on Monday with 82 signatory countries.
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, initiated under Brazil’s G20 presidency, represents one of the main goals of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a leader with humble origins.
This ambitious project, which unites 82 signatory countries, is part of a global effort to combat hunger and inequality. It brings together 147 members in total, including the European Union, the African Union, 24 international organizations, nine financial institutions, and 31 NGOs.
Addressing the leaders of the world's largest economies at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lula emphasized the severity of the issue: "This alliance is born at the G20, but it is global. Let this summit be marked by the courage to act.” He added, forcefully: "It is up to those seated at this table to take on the urgent task of eradicating this shameful scourge for humanity.”
The scale of this initiative is monumental, as the latest report by the FAO and other UN agencies reveals that 733 million people suffered from hunger in 2023, representing 9% of the global population. "Hunger is not due to shortages or natural phenomena; it is the result of political decisions that perpetuate the exclusion of a large part of humanity,” Lula stressed, highlighting the human responsibility in this crisis.
The Alliance aims to assist half a billion people by 2030, giving a global dimension to the fight against hunger and inequality. However, the task is daunting, especially as the number of those affected by hunger continues to rise. The Alliance seeks to mobilize financial resources and expertise to replicate successful local initiatives and implement concrete strategies in the hardest-hit areas.
"This is not just another discussion forum; it is a practical mechanism to channel knowledge and funding effectively to reach those who need it most,” explained Brazil’s Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias.
Meanwhile, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced a $25 billion contribution to fund hunger and poverty alleviation programs between 2025 and 2030.
The Alliance has already committed to concrete actions, such as child nutrition programs, expanding free school meal initiatives, and supporting small-scale farmers. For instance, the goal is to provide free school meals to 150 million children in developing countries by 2030.
Nigeria, already a leader in Africa with its school meal program, has pledged to double the number of child beneficiaries while sourcing from local smallholder farmers. Indonesia, for its part, plans to launch a new free school meal program in January 2025, aiming to reach 78.3 million students by 2029.
However, the NGO Oxfam has highlighted that while the Alliance could represent a turning point, urgent action is needed to address the devastating effects of climate change on food systems in the Global South. To truly drive change, the Alliance must fully integrate environmental considerations into its fight against hunger, a challenge that goes beyond traditional political actions.