At the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared Nigeria's full support for the newly launched Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. This alliance, spearheaded by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is a collective effort to combat one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today—global hunger and poverty.
During the opening session of the summit, President Tinubu applauded President Lula’s initiative as a significant stride in global cooperation, calling it a "bold and visionary step." He emphasized that the alliance aligns closely with Nigeria's domestic development priorities, reflecting one of the eight key areas he highlighted at his inauguration 18 months ago.
"The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty," said President Tinubu. "It sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe."
By endorsing the alliance, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 1 (eradicating poverty) and SDG 2 (achieving zero hunger). Tinubu stated that collaboration with international partners would allow Nigeria to adopt innovative solutions and international best practices, thereby enhancing the nation’s strategies to address hunger and poverty.
In his address, President Tinubu also reiterated the urgent need for reform within the United Nations Security Council. He called on the G20 to advocate for a more inclusive and equitable global governance structure, highlighting the need for two permanent seats for Africa. This demand underscores Nigeria’s readiness to represent the continent on the global stage.
"The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to better reflect the world’s diversity and plurality," President Tinubu said. "Africa deserves priority in this process."
Additionally, Tinubu highlighted the systemic imbalances in global finance and taxation that disadvantage developing countries. He stressed that Nigeria, alongside other African nations, is leading the call for an equitable international tax system. This push, he argued, is essential for fostering sustainable development and closing the economic gap between the Global North and South.
In his concluding remarks, President Tinubu urged the G20 to continue championing multilateral reforms, advocating for a future that bridges the divide between affluent and developing nations. He pledged Nigeria’s active participation in these efforts, committing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The statement was delivered on behalf of President Tinubu by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and underscored Nigeria’s role as a key player in the global fight for a fairer and more sustainable world.
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