PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS CREATION OF THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTY, CHAMPIONED BY PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA OF BRAZIL 19-11-24
By Sadiq Aminu President Bola Tinubu has hailed the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, describing it as pivotal in the global fight against hunger and poverty.
The President made the commendation at the opening of the G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He compared the global initiative to one of the eight priority areas he outlined at his inauguration 18 months ago, expressing Nigeria’s eagerness to adopt international best practices to advance its economic development.
According to President Tinubu, Nigeria’s endorsement of the declaration of commitment to join the Global Alliance is a significant step in its efforts to address hunger and poverty by leveraging international co-operation and resources to bolster domestic strategies.
He said by supporting the initiative, Nigeria also had demonstrated a solid commitment to realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty, and SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger.
President Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council reform to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions, reiterating Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within this elite.
He called on the G20 to champion the noble ideal, having admitted the African Union as a group member, stressing that the UN Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality.
The President emphasised that Africa deserved priority in the process, saying that two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities.
In the statement read on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, President Tinubu notes that the G20 now wears a toga of a forward-looking international institution that upholds reform-minded multilateralism.
He especially commends the decision by the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group.
He says this broad participation allows the opportunity for more inclusive and effective discussions to address shared global challenges.
The President says current international tax system, largely shaped by the interests of more affluent nations, often leaves developing countries at a disadvantage, especially in taxing digital economies.
He explains that the systemic imbalance has led to significant revenue losses, hampering weaker nations’ efforts towards sustainable development and economic self-reliance.
President Tinubu highlights that Nigeria, alongside other African Group member states, championed a historic initiative at the United Nations, calling for a framework Convention on Tax to establish a more equitable and inclusive global tax system.
He urges the G20 to heed the call by countries, especially those of the global South, to reform the international financial architecture.