Lula launches alliance against hunger and poverty at G20 summit

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened today the G20 Leaders Summit in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with the presentation of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.

‘Very important what we are going to decide here, and I am sure that, if we take responsibility in the fight against poverty, we can succeed in a short time’, declared Lula in his brief speech at the opening of the meeting.

He welcomed those present to Rio and invited them to enjoy this city known as the Marvelous City.

On the one hand, he pointed out, ‘the exuberant beauty of nature over the open arms of Christ the Redeemer; on the other, profound social injustices’.

According to the governor, the alliance will be our greatest legacy.

It is not only about justice, (the fight against hunger) is an essential condition to conquer more prosperous societies and a world of peace’.

At the Museum of Modern Art (MAM Rio), the meeting brings together the 19 largest economies of the planet and the European and African Unions this Monday and Tuesday.

Leaders of major powers such as Joe Biden, from the United States, and Xi Jinping, from China, will discuss issues such as social inclusion, global governance reform and energy transitions.

Such a group accounts for about 85 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product, 75 percent of international trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

‘The world is worse: we have the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II,’ Lula acknowledged.

For the first time under Brazil’s leadership, the meeting will focus on the fight against hunger, climate change and the reform of global governance institutions, such as the United Nations.

The G20 does not pass laws or impose obligations on countries, but signs economic, social and governance policy commitments to be taken.