​-H.E. Dr. Rania A.  Al-Mashat: The launch of a global alliance to combat poverty and hunger enhances countries’ ability to implement their national strategies to achieve food security and overcome the causes of poverty.

​-The partnership between the G20 and major international institutions, and opening membership to various countries, places great hopes on the alliance to overcome global crises threatening food security.

​-Activating the alliance’s goals mobilizes resources, knowledge, and technology for countries, enabling them to implement sustainable policies to achieve development goals.

​-The alliance creates a framework for integration and coordination between UN agencies concerned with food security, the World Bank, and other institutions to maximize efforts in facing developmental challenges.

During a high-level event attended by the Brazilian President, Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and heads of international financial institutions, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, participated in the special event for the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. This initiative was adopted by the Brazilian presidency of the G20 and announced by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in India during the previous G20 summit. The aim is to mobilize international efforts and coordinate joint action among G20 countries and international institutions to achieve the first and second Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In his opening remarks, Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, participated alongside UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, Mr. Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, and Mr. Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organization, along with numerous representatives of countries, governments, and international financial institutions, including Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group.

Commenting on the alliance’s announcement, Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized that launching a global alliance to combat poverty and hunger enhances countries’ ability to implement sustainable policies to provide services to low-income groups. This comes in light of the challenges many countries face, which have undermined their ability to achieve food security and provide social protection for their citizens, slowing progress toward the SDGs.

Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the world has faced severe and complex challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, through the Russia-Ukraine war, and the geopolitical tensions casting a shadow over various countries. Additionally, there have been supply chain crises and rising prices. She added that the partnership between the G20 and major international institutions and opening membership to various countries to join the global alliance against hunger and poverty places great hopes on the alliance to overcome global crises threatening food security. This partnership will enable countries through funding, knowledge, and technology to implement sustainable policies for achieving developmental goals.

She noted that activating the alliance’s goals contributes to mobilizing financial resources for countries suffering from limited fiscal space and inability to provide necessary financing for food security and social protection programs.

The World Bank Group announced its partnership with the G20 through the alliance to reach at least 500 million food-insecure and low-income people. This aims to empower marginalized groups to increase their incomes, enhance resilience to climate changes, and promote the empowerment of women and girls. The Bank explained that through the International Development Association (IDA), financing will be made available to countries to fund policies combating hunger and poverty through highly concessional financing and grants.

The alliance includes G20 members, including the African Union and the European Union, alongside countries and international organizations such as the Islamic Development Bank, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, UNESCO, FAO, IFAD, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, and others.

The Global Alliance aims to mobilize funding and knowledge to implement policies and encourage technologies that contribute to reducing hunger and poverty worldwide. This is in the face of increasing global challenges that raise hunger and poverty rates, especially with decreasing funding levels. The alliance is set to be officially launched during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November.