Poverty and hunger are intertwined and impacted by many challenges that have far-reaching consequences if left unaddressed.
For example, depriving a child of proper nutrition reduces learning potential and exacerbates health problems, which in turn significantly decreases income for the rest of their life.
"We know, and what Brazil has proven, is that this is entirely preventable."
"The leadership of President Lula and Brazil’s G20 Presidency to focus on hunger, and the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty is an important step forward."
The World Bank Group is committed to helping scale proven solutions. As part of this initiative—and its partnership with Brazil—the World Bank Group announced it will be the lead knowledge partner for the Alliance.
"In this capacity, we will generate hunger solutions for the Alliance’s policy basket, and coordinate knowledge exchange alongside Brazil for the benefit of all."
This will be complemented by new diagnostics providing country-by-country insights into hunger, poverty, and social protection coverage—enabling governments to make informed choices.
"Knowledge is more impactful when paired with resources," which is why IDA financing will be made available to fund countries’ choices from the Global Alliance policy basket. This partnership aligns with IDA's role as a primary source of grant and concessional funding to fight poverty and hunger. With strong replenishment, more can be achieved.
Additionally, the Alliance and this partnership will strengthen ongoing work. Over two decades, social protection programs have helped over 250 million people withstand food-affected shocks and crises. The new ambition aims to support half a billion people by 2030—targeting half of these beneficiaries to be women—through an innovative digital cash transfer system ensuring direct resource delivery while combating corruption and waste.
"But our work to defeat hunger must also target the root cause – poverty."
Take Africa’s agriculture sector as an example. There is vast potential to grow more food and help pull farmers out of poverty. Currently, only 6 percent of farmland is irrigated compared to 37 percent in Asia; yields are one-third below average due to insufficient fertilization. Focused investment in appropriate fertilizer for specific soils—and irrigation—can enhance productivity from existing land.
Better productivity leads to higher profits: more money for farmers' families—for school supplies, medicines—and food. Farmers can reinvest in drought-tolerant seeds, better equipment, expand their businesses with private sector investments, sharing prosperity within their communities.
"Hunger and poverty are intertwined. We need to take them on together."
The World Bank Group remains determined to deliver on these goals through this Alliance.
"Thank you, President Lula and the Brazilian government for your leadership."
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