Doha: The first summit of the Global Alliance to Fight Hunger and Poverty commenced in Doha, Qatar, marking a significant event with international participation. Leaders, ministers, and CEOs from over 200 countries and organizations gathered at the Qatar National Convention Center for this one-day summit, which is seen as a pivotal moment in the global battle against hunger and poverty.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting precedes the Second World Summit for Social Development, highlighting its importance. This gathering comes nearly a year after the alliance was formally established at the November 2024 G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At that summit, Qatar committed to hosting the coalition's first leaders' meeting, which is now underway.
The timing of the summit coincides with the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled from November 4-6 in Doha. Qatar's permanent representative to the UN, Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, emphasized that this UN social development summit is the first formal session of the UN General Assembly to be held outside New York or Geneva.
Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, officially opened the summit, reiterating Qatar's commitment to eradicating hunger and poverty as a shared global responsibility. She noted that over 700 million people worldwide live in extreme poverty, with conflicts, climate change, and funding shortages posing significant threats to development.
Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, highlighted the ongoing issue of hunger as a global tragedy and criticized the international community's failure to address underlying problems. She cited alarming statistics, including 673 million people suffering from hunger in 2024, and warned of the potential increase in hunger due to climate change.
Brazilian Minister of Social Development and co-chair of the alliance, Wellington Dias, spoke about the alliance's success in bringing hunger and poverty back to the forefront of global discussions. He highlighted Brazil's achievements in lifting millions out of hunger and poverty through targeted policies since 2023.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly addressed the persistent challenge of hunger and poverty globally, noting the severe food insecurity faced by over two billion people and the daily hunger experienced by many in Africa. He pointed to the famine in Gaza as an example of how conflict exacerbates these issues.