November 19, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has thrown his weight behind the creation of a global alliance aimed at eradicating hunger and poverty, at the ongoing G20 summit in Brazil.
The President left Nigeria on Sunday to attend the 19th meeting of the G-20 leaders’ summit.
This initiative, championed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, seeks to unite governments, international organizations, and civil society in a concerted effort to combat hunger and poverty globally.
The 19th G20 Leaders Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, brought together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, and multilateral financial institutions.
This year’s meeting focused on “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” with discussions centered around the fight against hunger and poverty, reform of global governance institutions, sustainable development, and energy transition.
Tinubu said: “In my address to fellow world leaders at the G20 Summit in Brazil, I endorsed the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Lula. This bold initiative aligns with my administration’s renewed hope agenda and our commitment to eradicating poverty and fostering sustainable development. This Global Alliance unites governments, international organizations, and civil society, to address both immediate needs and structural causes of hunger and poverty. Nigeria is ready to leverage international cooperation to meet Sustainable Development Goals, particularly zero hunger and poverty eradication while improving citizens’ lives.
“I also emphasised the urgent need for UN Security Council reform to reflect global diversity and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to represent Africa. Furthermore, we must prioritise reforming global taxation for equitable development to bridge the North-South global divide and create a fairer global financial system.”
He added: “Glad to meet with His Excellency Lương Cường, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the G20 summit in Brazil. Our productive bilateral discussion centred on strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and Vietnam, highlighting our shared commitment to cultivating mutually beneficial relations for the advancement of both countries.”
President Tinubu’s endorsement of the alliance aligns with Brazil’s extensive experience in reducing poverty and inequality through programs like Bolsa Família, which benefits over 55 million people in the country.
The alliance’s launch is timely, considering the alarming rise in global hunger.
According to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, the number of people suffering from hunger increased by 122 million between 2019 and 2022.
With President Tinubu’s backing, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty is poised to make a significant impact in the fight against poverty and hunger worldwide.
