CELAC: Food security plan endorses proposal to create a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty

Region will harbor a unified plan to combat hunger and poverty alongside the Global Alliance that is one of the priorities of Brasil’s G20 presidency. Measure is the result of a high-level meeting held by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

The Brazilian minister explained that the Alliance establishes three fundamental elements: one that is financial, one that is about knowledge, and one that is national. The first provides resources from international funds and donors, as well as new mechanisms to help countries with fewer resources. The knowledge element is the dissemination and sharing of best practices and experiences between countries—and the national perspective is about each State’s commitment to effective programs and technologies that combat poverty and hunger.

During the Brazilian presidency of the G20, the proposal to create a Global Alliance will be consolidated as part of the debates at the Summit of Heads of State and Government which will take place in November, in Rio de Janeiro. “Food and nutritional insecurity are a global scourge. We need integrated efforts within international cooperation to finance socioeconomic development programs,” highlighted the Brazilian minister.

In reference to Brasil’s experience in this field, Dias mentioned the country’s efforts to once again leave the hunger map by resuming public policies that ensure the right to food. “We have revived successful food security programs, and created new strategies to guarantee the right to food. The Brasil Without Hunger Plan is the Federal Government's response to Brasil's return to FAO’s hunger map. This plan's paradigm is to combat hunger through adequate nutrition, reducing inequality and caring for the environment," pointed out the minister.

Regional alliances

Chile's Minister of Agriculture Esteban Valenzuela highlighted the country’s intention to strengthen commercial alliances with Brazil and public purchases such as the Food Acquisition Plan (Plano de Aquisição de Alimentos/PAA), which promotes access to food and encourages family farming. “We will do a lot of work with Brasil. There will be a meeting between the ministries of Agriculture and Mercosur countries, and we want to continue learning from Brasil. This commercial alliance is very important. We want to exchange experiences and grow together,” stated Valenzuela.

Chile’s Minister of Social Development and Family Javiera Toro Cáceres highlighted the work that the country has carried out to ensure food and nutritional security through family farming, and requested that the Brazilian government share the policies that integrate the beneficiaries of Bolsa Família—Brasil’s largest income transfer program—into the labor market.

The Director of the Social Development Division of CEPAL Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Alberto Arenas said he was available to help countries with whatever was necessary to put the plan into practice, “since it is very important to share experiences”.

The CELAC summit meeting with Heads of State is scheduled for March and should endorse the plan, which already has the support of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Invitations to the G20

Dias took advantage of bilateral meetings with Chilean authorities and representatives of international organizations to garner support for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty at the G20. “President Lula says that exchanging experiences helps countries to develop. We must discuss public policies and share them with the countries that need them most,” stated Wellington Dias.

Mario Lubetking, Deputy General Director of FAO in Chile, also made himself available to the Task Force meeting which will be held in Teresina, capital of the Brazilian state of Piauí, in May. “We will work to attract more countries to take part in the Global Alliance Against Hunger,” said Lubetking.