G20: Tinubu endorses global alliance against hunger, poverty

Group commits to financial reforms for climate action

President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the creation of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil.

Tinubu gave the endorsement just as the leaders from the G20 countries reaffirmed the goals of the Paris Agreement, and recognised the need to rapidly scale up climate finance.

The President, who endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty on Monday at the 19th G20 Leaders Summit opening session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, described the alliance as pivotal in the global fight against hunger and poverty.

Stating that it was the right step to address one of the world’s most significant challenges, Tinubu said: “This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today.

“The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, and it also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe.

“By fostering collaboration between governments, international organisations and the civil society, this initiative offers a comprehensive approach not only to addressing immediate needs, but also tackling the structural causes of hunger and poverty.”

According to him, Nigeria’s endorsement and declaration of commitment to join the Global Alliance is a significant step in its efforts to address hunger and poverty by leveraging international cooperation and resources to bolster domestic strategies.

The President emphasised the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council’s reform to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions. Reiterating Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within the elite group, the President further called on the G20 to champion admission of the African Union as a group member.

Tinubu said: “The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality. Africa deserves priority in this.”

In the statement read on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, President Tinubu noted that the G20 appeared a forward-looking international institution upholding reform-minded multilateralism.

He commended the decision by the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group.

Tinubu stressed that Nigeria, alongside other African Group member states, championed a historic initiative at the United Nations, calling for a framework Convention on Tax to establish a more equitable and inclusive global tax system.

He urged the G20 to heed the call by countries, especially those of the global South, to reform the international financial architecture. On financial reforms to drive strong climate action, energy transitions, the G20 countries
reiterated the outcome from the Global Stocktake in Dubai and agreed to reform Multilateral Development Banks.

The G20 countries account for 85 per cent of the world’s economy, are responsible for 80 per cent of global emissions, and the largest contributors to multilateral development banks helping to steer climate finance.

They emphasised the role of sustainable development in its three dimensions, economic, social, and environmental, as a guiding principle for cooperation for people, planet and prosperity, with the ultimate goal of overcoming collective challenges.

They said: “We reaffirm our respective commitments to scale up urgent action to address the crises and challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, ocean and land degradation, drought and pollution.”

They pledged to lead bold, timely and structural actions in their national economies and in the international financial system with a view to accelerating and scaling up climate action, in synergy with sustainable development priorities.

The declaration signed by G20 governments acknowledged the need to reform international finance rules and emphasised the responsibility of the wealthiest countries to provide financial support for developing countries to transition to renewable energy.