Piauí hosts G20, showcases 20 years of progress in combating hunger

Researcher Antônio Claret's study revealed that social programs have transformed the state's reality over the past 20 years and can be replicated in other countries. The G20 Social Summit also highlights the contributions of various ministries to this discussion.

This week, Piauí is hosting international discussions for the G20 on combating hunger and poverty worldwide. The Brazilian state has undergone significant social transformation over the past two decades, driven by programs like Bolsa Família. This transformation is highlighted in the study "Mapping Social Development Indicators" (Mapeamento dos Índices de Desenvolvimento Social), conducted by researcher Antônio Claret and presented on Monday, May 20, at the G20 Social Summit in Teresina, Piauí.

According to Antônio Claret, a combination of factors and policies, along with the involvement of society and the business sector, played a significant role in shaping a new reality for the region's people. The state's Human Development Index (Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano - IDH), which measures population well-being, rose from 0.48 in 2000 to 0.71 in 2020, marking a 48% growth. This progress positions Piauí in the "high" human development category, as classified by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Given the success of the state's experience, the researcher believes that presenting the study can contribute to G20 discussions. "The goal is to showcase the advancements we've made in Piauí (PI) so that successful public policies adopted in Brazil and the state can serve as a reference for other countries at similar levels of human development worldwide," Claret explains.

The research results from an international cooperation process between the state of Piauí, through the Secretariat for Planning and Economic Affairs (Secretaria de Planejamento e Assuntos Econômicos - SEPLAN), and the UNDP.

Ministries unite in cooperation

During the event held by the Inter-ministerial Chamber of Food and Nutrition Security (Câmara Interministerial de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional - CAISAN), representatives from various ministries discussed their contributions to the set of public policies forming the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. The Minister of Social Development and Fight against Hunger (Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome - MDS) Wellington Dias expressed his pleasure at participating in an event outside Brasília and being able to hear from people on such a significant topic.

“We need to move forward together with what we've learned here and with much more to develop, alongside 50 other delegations from around the world. This is not about a contract; it's about a Global Alliance to tackle hunger and poverty. It is with this motivation that we leave here today," stated the minister.

The Chief Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic Márcio Macêdo emphasized that Piauí has a remarkable story to share with Brazil and the world. In his view, addressing inequality is a global challenge that requires dialogue between governments and citizens. "There is no successful public policy without listening to the people; therefore, it is essential to hear from society," the minister asserted.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura - MPA) highlighted several contributions to the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty proposal package, including the Artisanal Fishing Communities program (Programa Povos da Pesca Artesanal) and the Young Scientist in Artisanal Fisheries (Jovem Cientista da Pesca Artesanal) initiative. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento – MAPA) emphasized strengthening production chains, particularly small-scale and family farming. Additionally, the Sustainable Amazon+ and Sustainable Northeast+ plans were mentioned. The Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde) noted investments in expanding and improving primary healthcare services within the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS).

CAISAN is part of the National System of Food and Nutrition Security (Sistema Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional - SISAN) and aims to coordinate public administration agencies and entities in the area of food and nutritional security. At the end of the G20 Social event, various social movements presented specific proposals to be included in the discussion.

The G20 Social meeting precedes the third technical meeting of the Task Force for building the Global Alliance.

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