Hunger persists due to political decisions, highlighting the need for systemic change to address food insecurity.
Hunger persists as a critical issue for millions globally, not as a result of innate human conditions, but rather due to systemic failures in governance and economic frameworks that perpetuate inequalities. Current estimates indicate that approximately 673 million individuals lack access to adequate food, a staggering contrast to the wealth held by a mere 3,000 billionaires, who collectively command 14.6 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In 2024, military expenditures surged, reaching an unprecedented .7 trillion—the highest since the Cold War. This escalation occurs against a backdrop of unfulfilled commitments from wealthier nations, which pledged to allocate 0.7 percent of their GDP to foster development in less affluent countries.
The situation today echoes historical contexts from the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 80 years ago, yet it reveals a dual crisis intertwining war and hunger, exacerbated further by the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Current global governance structures, initially designed to address the issues of 1945, now require a comprehensive re-evaluation to effectively tackle contemporary crises.
To combat hunger and poverty, reforming global governance to fortify multilateral efforts is essential. This involves creating investment flows aimed at sustainable development and equipping states with the capacity to implement effective public policies. A pivotal aspect of this approach includes enhancing public budgets for the disadvantaged while ensuring that the affluent are incorporated into the tax system. Notably, a significant step was achieved during the G20 Summit under Brazil’s leadership in November 2024, which successfully integrated discussions on tax justice, marking a historic milestone.
Brazil is leading by example with a substantial tax reform that aims to introduce a minimum tax on high-income earners, thus relieving millions of lower-income citizens from income tax burdens. This initiative aligns with President Brazil’s proposal for the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, which has rapidly garnered 200 member entities, including 103 countries and a multitude of partner organizations. The alliance is not merely a platform for experience-sharing but a robust mechanism for resource mobilization and commitment.
Recent statistics demonstrate Brazil’s significant strides toward alleviating hunger, with 26.5 million individuals lifted from food insecurity since early 2023. Furthermore, the nation has been removed from the FAO’s Hunger Map, a testament to the effectiveness of systematic policies initiated in previous years. Measures such as enhancing national income transfer initiatives, expanding free meal programs in public schools, and supporting local agriculture have all played crucial roles in improving food security.
Brazil’s commitment to addressing hunger is intertwined with broader economic policies focused on job creation and income enhancement. Record low unemployment and reduced income inequality have underscored these efforts, although challenges remain in achieving complete food security.
Looking ahead, Brazil is set to host COP30 in the Amazon next month, reinforcing the imperative link between combating climate change and addressing hunger. Aiming to formulate a Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and Climate in Belem, Brazil seeks to highlight the disproportionate effects of climate change on hunger in vulnerable regions.
As Brazil engages in discussions at the World Food Forum and the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty in Rome, the urgency for transformative change becomes clear. Humanity possesses the capability to address the self-inflicted challenge of hunger with concerted action toward sustainable solutions.
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