G20 Summit deepens focus on hunger as activists scatter 733 empty plates on Brazil beach

Led by President Lula, Brazil is hosting the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro this Monday and Tuesday, bringing in global leaders to discuss some of the most pressing matters. The conference is happening against the backdrop of a tricky geopolitical landscape.

The G20 Summit is being conducted amid heightened global tensions and Donald Trump’s return as US President. Experts anticipate a final document focused on social issues such as the eradication of hunger – one of Brazil’s priorities.

G20 member countries agreed to a global alliance against hunger and poverty last July. The group is expected to implement practical activities by this decade to accelerate the elimination of hunger and the reduction of poverty across the globe.

The #G20 must lead by example.

This is fundamental to trust, credibility, and legitimacy of every government and our global system in these turbulent times.

We need to seize every opportunity to lead transformative action for a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world.… pic.twitter.com/ikH44xRMeO

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 17, 2024

G20 Summit: 733 million people remained hungry in 2023

On Saturday, numerous activists scattered empty plates on the sands in Copacabana Beach in Brazil. The protest had been organised by non-governmental organisation Rio for Peace to bring the attention of global leaders to the scourge of hunger.

The demonstrators brought 733 plates to the beach in order to represent global hunger. This particular number of plates represents the fact that 733 million human beings starved in 2023, according to the UN. This is equivalent to one in 11 people globally.

Brazil’s Lula made the fight against hunger a priority during his first couple of terms as President (2003-2010). The number of undernourished Brazilians fell by more than 80% in ten years, according to a 2014 UN report.