BRASILIA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday attended the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focused on accelerating global action on climate change, alleviating hunger and promoting sustainable development.
Dr Samia is in Rio de Janeiro at the invitation of her Brazilian counterpart Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Her participation signifies Tanzania’s increased influence and visibility on the global stage.
More significantly, it underscores President Samia’s diplomatic efforts on empowering youths and women which align with this year’s G20 leaders’ summit priorities.
Dr Samia also has been advocating for national, regional and Africa’s energy a valuable opportunity to advance its development agenda, more notably the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy which seeks to reduce unclean cooking in the country.
Speaking while opening the summit, Brazilian President Lula sought concerted action on alleviating hunger as he hosted a summit of the Group of 20 leading economies amidst growing global tensions.
“I observe with sadness that the world is worse: we have the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II and the largest number of forced displacements ever recorded,” said Lula.
He welcomed foreign leaders to Rio de Janeiro’s modern art museum yesterday morning and delivered an opening address that focused on fighting food insecurity.
“It is for those of us here, around this table, to face the undelayable task of ending this stain that shames humanity,” Lula told his colleagues. “That will be our biggest legacy.”
He cited the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) figures on world hunger, reporting that in 2024, 733 million people still suffer from malnutrition.
The staggering numbers translate to the combined populations of Brazil, Mexico, Germany, the UK, South Africa and Canada dying of hunger, as stated by Lula.
“In a world that produces nearly six billion tonnes of food annually, this is unacceptable. In a world where military spending reaches 2.4 trillion dollars, this is unacceptable,” he said.
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Mr Lula pointed out the great economic power and sustained influence among the G20 members, underscoring that they account for 85 per cent of global GDP and 32 trillion US dollar in trade of goods and services, which could be geared towards ending world hunger.
“It is up to those around this table to take on the urgent task of ending this wound that shames humanity.
Therefore, we have made the launch of a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty a central goal of Brazil’s presidency in the G20. This will be our greatest legacy,” said Lula.
The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty stems from Brazil’s domestic efforts to combat poverty and hunger.
According to Mr Lula, in one year and eleven months of implementing the programme, more than 24.5 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, and it is projected that by 2026, Brazil will be removed from the Hunger Map. As of November 15, the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty had registered the participation of 37 countries.
The G20 is made up of 19 countries that include Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Türkiye, UK and US and two regional bodies: the African Union and the European Union.
The members of the G20 represent around 85 per cent of the world’s GDP, more than 75 per cent of world trade and around two-thirds of the world’s population.
The G20’s Summit which kicked off yesterday will conclude today. It is themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”
President Samia’s participation at the summit also marks the first time a Tanzanian leader has joined the G20 since the group expanded from the G8 in 2009. The late Benjamin Mkapa and Dr Jakaya Kikwete represented Tanzania at G8 summits in 2005 and 2008.
Diplomatic relations between Tanzania and Brazil were formally established in January 1970, marking over fifty years of cooperation built on shared values and mutual respect.
Following the participation of Dr Samia at the summit, analysts are optimistic that Tanzania will reap significant benefits from her attendance.
An Economist-cum-Investment Banker Dr Hildebrand Shayo told the ‘Daily News’ in a phone interview that Tanzania’s participation in such a high-level meeting would further elevate the country on the international diplomatic stage.
He said by attending such high-level and important meetings, Tanzania will continue to cement its acceptability on the global stage, potentially improving its reputation in the world as a potential role model within Africa, especially within sub-Saharan Africa.
President Samia has demonstrated good leadership in managing the country’s economy, with the World Bank and IMF attesting to the fact, further placing the Head of State on the global spotlight.
Dr Shayo said being the first female President to be invited to attend the G20 meeting, which is mainly composed of the world’s leading economic powers, confirms that her leadership is acceptable and that the G20 can learn from a country with ample resources under the female Head of State.
