Context:

The G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, officially launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.

About Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

It is an initiative launched during Brazil's 2024 presidency of the G20. It was introduced by Brazil.

It serves as a platform for connecting countries experiencing hunger and poverty with public policies aimed at addressing these issues, and bringing together partners willing to provide expertise or financial support.

The Alliance's primary goal is to eradicate hunger and poverty by 2030, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all UN member states in 2015.

Why is the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty necessary?

Increasing Poverty and Hunger: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report found that 712 million people lived in extreme poverty in 2022, and 733 million people were hungry in 2023, with millions suffering from malnutrition.

The rising financing gap for achieving the SDGs, especially SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger) requires a coordinated international approach for resource mobilization.

Conflicts, climate change, and economic inequality have contributed to hunger and poverty, making collective action even more necessary.

The World Bank and the United Nations estimated that by 2030, 622 million people will be in extreme poverty and 582 million will be hungry.

Key objectives of the Alliance

Organize global political efforts to combat hunger and poverty.

Gather domestic and international resources for country-led initiatives to combat hunger and poverty.

Provide a governance framework to guide country-led actions, with policies using a reference basket approach that does not require collective approval.

Implement a wide range of programs, including food assistance, social protection schemes, school meals, support for smallholder farmers, and maternal and early childhood nutrition.

How does the Alliance function?

The Alliance members will hold regular meetings to discuss and combat hunger and poverty. It allows countries to access proven best practices and identify potential partners for assistance.

It provides technical expertise and financial assistance to countries in the development of national models aimed at eliminating hunger and poverty. A council will oversee the Alliance's initiatives and ensure progress.

The Alliance acts as a "matchmaker," connecting countries in need with donors and technical support instead of having an exclusive fund.

The Alliance has identified an evidence-based policy basket that includes more than 50 policy instruments that member countries can support.

Six "Sprints 2030" programme to focus on high-impact areas, with targeted initiatives aimed at the most vulnerable. These include school meals, cash transfers, support for smallholder and family farming, socioeconomic inclusion programs, integrated maternal and early childhood interventions, and water access solutions.

How is the Alliance financed?

Resources are collected from the Alliance's member countries and institutions, including the FAO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.

It encourages innovative strategies such as blended financing and concessional co-financing.

It does not have a dedicated fund, instead, it connects countries with potential donors and financial partners.

Its annual operating costs are estimated to be between $2 and $3 million.

The Alliance has three main pillars

Focuses on coordinating national public policies for hunger and poverty eradication.

Integrates data, technologies, and evidence-based solutions.

Mobilizes large-scale resources for country-led initiatives.

Members of the Alliance

The Alliance now includes 148 members

82 countries, including India, and others from the Global South.
24 international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, and the World Bank.
Nine financial institutions and 31 philanthropic organizations.

It is open to all UN member and observer countries, development partners, and research institutions.

Must Read Articles:

GLOBAL HUNGER TRENDS

GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2024

STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2024

THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE WORLD (SOFI) REPORT

Source:

Indian Express