The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) participated in a landmark moment for global action and public health in November. At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, our Vice President of Food and Nutrition, Veronica Schoj, joined leading civil society organizations, government representatives and international organizations in discussions aimed at eradicating hunger, poverty and inequality. These critical conversations culminated in the announcement of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, a coalition designed to mobilize resources and expertise for sustainable solutions.
Our participation at the G20 Summit reflects GHAI’s commitment to ensuring that global food systems prioritize human rights, reduce inequities and promote access to healthy and nutritious diets.
First Lady of Brazil Rosângela Lula da Silva opened the summit with a compelling call to action, highlighting the vital role of civil society organizations in reducing inequities. Her remarks underscored the importance of collaborative alliances like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty in addressing systemic barriers to food security. This dynamic initiative, announced by President Lula, aims to leverage proven strategies to combat hunger and poverty worldwide, bringing together governments, international organizations and civil society actors.
The Summit also spotlighted powerful contributions from civil society leaders and government representatives who share our commitment to eradicating hunger and promoting equitable food systems. Mariana Macario from Ação da Cidadania emphasized the urgent need for public policies that guarantee the human right to healthy food and reduce the consumption of ultra-processed products. Brazilian Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo, underscored the importance of structural public policies, highlighting the success of Brazil’s national school feeding program and support for small-scale producers in addressing hunger and inequality. These examples reinforce the critical role governments must play in advancing equitable access to nutrition.
To ensure that the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty delivers equitable progress, GHAI offered key recommendations during the breakout sessions in the Summit’s plenary session on Combating Hunger, Poverty, and Inequality.
These included the need for effective coordination mechanisms to prevent fragmentation in global governance, as well as a strong conflict-of-interest policy to exclude ultra-processed food and beverage corporations whose business practices undermine public health. We also called for formal mechanisms to ensure civil society participation grounded in democratic principles and highlighted the importance of expanding fiscal space through comprehensive reforms, such as taxing harmful industries, rather than creating a new global fund. These actionable steps are critical to upholding the Alliance’s integrity and fostering meaningful progress.
GHAI’s participation in the G20 Summit reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing food policies that protect public health, reduce food insecurity and empower vulnerable populations. The discussions in Rio de Janeiro reaffirmed that addressing hunger is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a matter of justice and equity. Public health policies must prioritize access to nutritious diets, promote sustainability and hold industries accountable for practices that exacerbate malnutrition and health inequities.
GHAI remains steadfast in its advocacy for transformative change. The principles shared in Rio de Janeiro will continue to guide our work as we collaborate with governments, civil society organizations and global partners to implement meaningful solutions. Together, we can ensure that initiatives like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty create a future where equitable access to nutritious food is a reality for all.
