Lula da Silva opens G20 summit with warning about urgency to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Chairman of brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaInaugurated this Monday g20 summit In Rio de Janeiro, the fight against hunger and poverty was ranked as the central axis of the platform amid tensions over a possible escalation of war in Ukraine.

During his speech Lula presented Global Coalition Against Hunger and PovertyDefined and urged as the main legacy of the Brazilian presidency of the G20 world leader Adopting concrete measures against increasing social and economic inequalities.

“Time is running out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”warned the President at the start of the summit, which is being held in a context of intense geopolitical tensions and global social challenges. Lula took the opportunity to emphasize that, although the world produces about 6 billion tons of food per year, 733 million people still suffer from malnutritionA figure that exceeds the combined population of Brazil, Mexico, Germany, united kingdom, South Africa And Canada,

,This is unacceptable on a planet that has the resources to feed everyone”, he said, emphasizing that hunger is not a problem of scarcity but a result of “deprivation”.Political decisions that perpetuate social exclusionLula also criticized global military spending, which stands at $2.4 trillion annually, as an inefficient use of resources that could be used to improve the quality of life for millions of people.

In his speech, Lula highlighted the importance of the G20, which represents 85% of global GDP and 75% of world trade, to lead the fight against inequalities. ,It is up to each of us to end this scourge that brings shame to humanity.“, he said, highlighting that the Global Coalition against Hunger and Poverty is already supported by 81 countries, 28 international organizations, 9 financial institutions and 31 philanthropic foundations.

However, the road to consensus is not without challenges. Experts and diplomats present at the summit said that global tensions, including war ukraine And middle eastThis has complicated the prospects of reaching a meaningful joint declaration. countries like argentina He expressed objection to key proposals such as a global tax on the super-rich and promoting gender equality. Nevertheless, President Miley decided at the last minute to sign the document with which the program is expected to end this Tuesday.

Chief Brazilian negotiator, Ambassador to the G20 mauricio lirioExpressed that the main focus of the summit is to initiate concrete action, such as the aforementioned coalition against hunger, while negotiations continue to reach acceptable language in the final declaration.

Amid tensions over the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Lula defended his decision not to focus the summit agenda on wars. “I have decided not to bring war to the G20, because if it didn’t, we wouldn’t be discussing other important things for the people who are not at war, the invisible people of the world,” he said in an interview before the start. Are.” with the summit Globonews.

However, Lula advocated peace on all open fronts and reminded that the planet is facing more armed conflicts simultaneously than at any other time since 1945.We want to send a clear message: We want peace in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Ukraine. we all want to end wars“, he said.

Prominent leaders like the President participated in the summit usa, Joe Bidenand Prime Minister of India, Narendra ModiWhile the Russian President Vladimir Putin The major absence was due to an arrest warrant issued by International Criminal Court,

The international context has become even more complex after the recent victory of Donald Trump The United States presidential elections are creating uncertainty about the future of multilateralism. ,If anything is clear, it is Trump’s skepticism towards international agreements.“, he pointed out AP Teacher Cristian Lucena Carneirofrom the University of Sao Paulo.

Lula tried to balance his stance as a mediator in a multipolar world, but his initiatives, such as the Peace Plan China For Ukraine, they have generated controversy. Additionally, recent stock comparisons israel In Horoscope The cataclysm has caused diplomatic tension.

Lula described Rio de JaneiroThe summit’s headquarters, as a microcosm of the world’s deep contradictions: a vibrant and diverse city, but marked by inequality and social injustice. He said, this duality is representative not only of Brazil, but also of Brazil Latin America And the world in general, where wealth and poverty co-exist to an extreme degree.

The President recalled the progress made during his previous mandate (2003-2010), when policies like National School Feeding Program

And support for family farming managed to pull Brazil out fao hunger map However, he regrets that the country will be on that list again in 2022 due to the dismantling of social programs.

Lula assured this after returning to power in 2023 24 million Brazilians escaped extreme poverty last yearThanks to the implementation of the renewed social policies. The President reiterated his commitment to continue these initiatives until 2026 with the aim of guaranteeing fair redistribution of resources and eradication of hunger in the country.

Concluding his speech, Lula reiterated that the Global Coalition against Hunger and Poverty, although conceived at the G20, has a vision of global impact. ,Let this summit be remembered for the courage to act.“, he concluded, reaffirming Brazil’s intention to lead a movement towards more fair, sustainable and inclusive development.

Watch the full speech of the Brazilian President by clicking here,