Global Coalition Against Hunger and Poverty (GS Paper 2, Poverty)
Why in the Spotlight?
- A significant global initiative to combat hunger and poverty was unveiled at the G20 Leaders Summit held in Brazil.
- This new framework, called the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, aims to accelerate efforts to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger worldwide.
- This move is aligned with the Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023, which were ratified during the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this year.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also contributed to the dialogue by sharing India’s achievements in the fight against hunger and poverty.
Key Features of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty
Overview
- The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty is a voluntary collective formed by governments, international bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
- Its primary mission is to eliminate hunger (SDG 2), alleviate poverty (SDG 1), reduce inequalities (SDG 10), and support the wider Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Core Pillars
- The Alliance is built on three main pillars: knowledge, financial mobilization, and knowledge transfer, focusing on actions at the national level.
Objectives
Political Mobilization:
- The Alliance calls for robust political will from G20 members and other participating nations to drive action against poverty and hunger globally.
Resource Mobilization:
- It seeks to channel both domestic and international funding, including public and private sector contributions, towards country-specific programs in nations grappling with hunger and poverty.
Structured Framework:
- The Alliance operates under a clear governance model, providing a guiding framework for countries to take action without requiring collective policy endorsement from all members.
Programs and Policies
The Alliance’s programs incorporate a broad range of strategies to address hunger and poverty, such as:
- Food assistance and social protection, including cash transfers and food aid.
- School meal programs, maternal and child nutrition, and early childhood support.
- Empowerment of local food markets, smallholder farmers, and promotion of sustainable farming practices.
- Provision of healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable groups, including children, women, and marginalized communities.
- Access to financing, training, and agricultural inputs for small farmers.
Inclusivity and Collaboration:
- The Alliance welcomes participation from all UN member states, development partners, and knowledge-sharing organizations.
- Key contributors include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Bank, among others.
Action at the National Level:
- The Alliance encourages national governments to implement policies and programs aligned with the SDGs, focusing on food security, nutrition, and social protection.
Focus on Vulnerable Groups:
- There is an emphasis on ensuring that vulnerable groups such as women, children, refugees, and people with disabilities benefit from the Alliance’s initiatives.
- Special attention is given to boosting the financial resources available to address challenges in the agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors, which are vital for smallholder farmers and impoverished communities.
Indigenous Practices:
- The Alliance also highlights the role of indigenous farming knowledge, promoting traditional crops such as millets and quinoa, which are considered key to building more resilient and nutritious food systems.
Financial Mechanisms
Resource Mobilization:
- To meet the Alliance’s goals, innovative financing solutions are central.
- These include blended financing, where concessional funds (low-interest or grant funding) are combined with non-concessional funds, as well as concessional co-financing from financial institutions.
Official Development Assistance (ODA):
- Developed countries are encouraged to fully honor their ODA commitments, particularly to nations most in need of financial resources to combat hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.
Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs):
- The Alliance advocates for boosting the capacity of MDBs, such as the International Development Association (IDA), which is a key source of funding for poverty and hunger reduction.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs):
- The Alliance also calls for the voluntary rechanneling of SDRs, the international reserve asset issued by the IMF, to help countries in need, while adhering to international legal frameworks.
The Need for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty
Rising Poverty and Hunger Rates:
- The global poverty rate is on the rise, with an estimated 712 million people living in extreme poverty in 2022.
- Hunger remains a pressing issue, with 733 million people facing food insecurity in 2023, and 148 million children under five affected by stunting.
Financing Gaps:
- To achieve SDGs 1 and 2, the financing gap continues to widen.
- A global alliance like this can help close the gap through international cooperation and innovative financing mechanisms.
Gender-Based Disparities:
- Studies have shown that women are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, with 26.7% of women facing food shortages compared to 25.4% of men.
- The Alliance prioritizes gender-sensitive solutions to address these disparities.
Economic Toll of Hunger and Poverty:
- The economic costs of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition are vast.
- They undermine productivity, limit economic growth, and exacerbate social inequalities, particularly in developing nations.
Crisis and Vulnerability:
- Acute food insecurity and humanitarian crises are increasing, particularly in fragile regions. The Alliance aims to provide targeted investments and ensure more resilient responses to these crises.
Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023
These principles were developed to tackle the global food crisis exacerbated by climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic disruptions. The principles stress:
- Humanitarian Assistance: Boosting multisectoral humanitarian aid and enhancing coordination during crises.
- Food Access and Nutrition: Supporting food and cash-based safety net programs and sharing best practices for their effective implementation.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Fostering innovations to address climate change and protect biodiversity.
- Value Chain Resilience and Inclusivity: Strengthening agriculture supply chains while including women, youth, and smallholders.
- "One Health" Approach: Addressing health threats linked to agriculture and environmental sustainability.
- Technology and Innovation: Promoting digital infrastructure to support farmers and rural communities.
- Responsible Investments: Encouraging both public and private sector investments, with a focus on youth participation in agriculture.
India's Progress in Combating Hunger and Poverty
- India has made significant strides in reducing poverty and addressing food insecurity.
- Between 2014 and 2024, India lifted 250 million people out of poverty.
- Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which offers insurance to farmers, and PM-KISAN, which provides direct income support, have benefited millions of citizens.
- India’s focus on nutritional programs such as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is helping improve maternal and child health.
- Over 800 million people benefit from food grain distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- India’s leadership in global food security initiatives has been exemplified through its humanitarian aid to countries like Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Conclusion
- The establishment of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty marks a significant global commitment toward achieving SDG 1 and SDG 2.
- By mobilizing resources, fostering international cooperation, and prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability, the Alliance is poised to make meaningful strides in eradicating poverty and hunger, especially among the most vulnerable populations.
- This collective effort holds the promise of a healthier, more equitable future for all.
