Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva inaugurated the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, delivering a stark message about the global state of affairs. “The world is worse,” Lula declared, pointing to the highest levels of armed conflict and forced displacement since World War II.

Lula prioritized the eradication of hunger and poverty, unveiling a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. According to the FAO, 733 million people face malnutrition in 2024—a figure equivalent to the populations of six major countries combined. “In a world that produces 6 billion tons of food and spends $2.4 trillion on military budgets, this is unacceptable,” he emphasized.

The G20, representing 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population, has a pivotal role, Lula argued. Brazil aims to leave a legacy of tangible progress, with 37 nations already joining the alliance. Lula highlighted Brazil’s success in reducing extreme poverty for over 24.5 million people, expressing hope that Brazil will exit the Hunger Map by 2026.

Amid ongoing crises like the Ukraine war and Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lula urged G20 leaders to leverage their collective influence for global peace and prosperity.