Global Hunger and Poverty Alliance Launched By Brazil’s President Lula

On November 18, 2024, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during the opening of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This landmark initiative, involving 148 founding members, including 82 countries and a variety of international organizations, financial institutions, and NGOs, aims to accelerate efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty globally by 2030.

Key Highlights of the Global Alliance

Background and Objectives

• Hunger Statistics: Currently, 733 million people face undernourishment globally, equivalent to the combined populations of Brazil, Mexico, Germany, the UK, South Africa, and Canada.
• Alliance Goal: Eradicate hunger and poverty by 2030, reduce inequalities, and foster sustainable development through international cooperation.
• Inspirational Programs: The Alliance draws from Brazil’s successful programs like Bolsa Família, the National School Feeding Program, and the Food Acquisition Program.

Founding Members

• Countries: 82 member nations, including Brazil, India, China, the US, and European nations.
• International Organizations: Includes the African Union, EU, UNICEF, FAO, and WTO.
• Financial Institutions: World Bank Group, African Development Bank, and others committed to mobilizing funds.
• NGOs and Philanthropies: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BRAC, and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative among others.

Strategic Pillars

• National: Develop and adapt policies for local realities.
• Financial: Mobilize funds for programs, including cash transfers and grants.
• Knowledge: Promote evidence-based practices and knowledge sharing among members.

Key Initiatives and Commitments

• Cash Transfers: Extend cash transfer programs to 500 million people in low- and lower-middle-income countries by 2030.
• School Meals: Expand access to high-quality school meals to 150 million children in poverty-stricken areas.
• Funding: Multilateral development banks to raise billions in credit and grants to support the Alliance’s programs.

Governance and Operations

• Oversight: Regular Summits Against Hunger and Poverty and a High-Level Champions Council will monitor progress.
• Support Mechanism: A dedicated technical body hosted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to provide strategic support.
• Funding Commitment: Brazil will finance half of the Support Mechanism’s costs through 2030, with contributions from other nations like Germany and Norway.

Impactful Sprints

• Ahead of the formal launch, the Alliance achieved early commitments in six priority areas of its agenda during the G20 Social Summit on November 15. These “2030 Sprints” represent a large-scale effort to combat hunger and extreme poverty.

The Brazilian Example

• Lula highlighted Brazil’s achievements in reducing hunger, particularly through social programs that lifted over 24.5 million people out of extreme poverty. He reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to eradicating hunger and leaving the FAO Hunger Map by 2026.

Vision and Legacy

• The Alliance aspires to be a global platform for change, transcending its G20 origins to ensure a coordinated global effort to combat hunger and poverty.
• Lula described the Alliance as “humanity’s collective responsibility”, emphasizing the need to prioritize justice and equality to achieve a more peaceful and prosperous world.