President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria addressed world leaders at the 19th G20 Leaders Summit today, emphasizing the urgent need for a unified global response to combat hunger and poverty. In his remarks, he endorsed the establishment of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative spearheaded by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
President Tinubu described the formation of this alliance as a "significant milestone" in the collective effort to eradicate hunger and poverty worldwide. He stated, “This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today.” The initiative has garnered support from over 80 countries and aims to coordinate international efforts to tackle these pressing issues effectively.
In his address, Tinubu highlighted that hunger and poverty are not merely results of resource scarcity but are deeply rooted in political decisions. He reiterated that the capacity to produce sufficient food exists globally, with nearly 6 billion tons produced annually. “Hunger and poverty are products of political decisions,” he asserted, calling for collaborative solutions that address both immediate needs and the structural causes of these challenges.
The Nigerian leader also aligned this initiative with his administration's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2, which focus on eradicating poverty and achieving zero hunger. He emphasized Nigeria's readiness to partner with international organizations and civil society to leverage best practices and innovative solutions in the fight against these issues.
Furthermore, President Tinubu advocated for urgent reforms within the United Nations Security Council. He called for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent member categories to better reflect global diversity, particularly highlighting Africa's need for representation. “Africa deserves priority in this process,” he stated, reiterating Nigeria’s willingness to serve as a representative of the continent.
Tinubu praised the G20's recent decision to grant permanent membership to the African Union as a positive step towards inclusive multilateralism. However, he stressed that further reforms are necessary to address systemic inequities that hinder development in the Global South.
“Multilateral institutions must be revamped to bridge the gap between the Global North and South,” he urged, calling for changes in global taxation systems that currently disadvantage developing nations. He highlighted Nigeria's commitment to active participation in the G20 and its support for achieving SDG 2030 targets.