Global hunger, poverty take centre stage at G20
South Africa has come out in support of Brazil's focus on social inclusion and combating hunger at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the country’s statement on Monday, emphasising the need for urgent collective action to eliminate poverty and hunger.
The G20, now including the African Union, represents 85% of the global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population.
Leaders in attendance include US President Joe Biden, China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
This year's theme, "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet," prioritises social inclusion, energy transitions, and governance reforms.
Ramaphosa highlighted the urgent need for G20 nations to intensify efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger.
"It is only through an integrated and comprehensive system of social support that we will be able to assist the most vulnerable in society,” he said.
According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people live in extreme poverty.
“Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67 per cent of the total.
“At the same time, countries with developing economies are facing declining growth prospects, declining investments, and rising debt.
“These challenges have the potential to derail development gains and progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We must, therefore, urgently redouble efforts to eliminate poverty and hunger," the president added.
The summit also saw the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which aims to foster collaboration on food insecurity.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva described hunger as “the most degrading of human deprivations,” blaming its persistence on political choices rather than resource scarcity.
"The ultimate symbol of our collective tragedy is hunger and poverty,” he said.
“According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2024 there will be 733 million people still facing undernourishment. It is as if the populations of Brazil, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Canada combined were going hungry.
“These are women, men, and children whose rights to life, education, development, and food are violated daily.
“In a world that produces almost 6 billion tons of food per year, this is unacceptable. In a world where military spending reaches 2.4 trillion dollars, this is unacceptable," Da Silva warned.
Chinese President Xi Jinping commended Brazil’s leadership for prioritising hunger and poverty.
“From Hangzhou to Rio, we have been working for the same goal, that is, to build a just world of common development,” he said.
He urged leaders to strengthen trade, investment, and cooperation while avoiding isolationist policies.
Other discussions included reforming global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank to enhance representation for developing nations.
The summit also touched on geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war and trade frictions between the U.S. and China.
The summit concludes on Tuesday with discussions on sustainable development and the ceremonial handover of the G20 presidency from Brazil to South Africa.
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