President Ramaphosa Calls for Global Action on Poverty and Hunger at G20 Summit

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 18 November 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa addressed the G20 Leaders’ Summit today in Rio de Janeiro, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to combat poverty, hunger, and inequality. Speaking at the session on Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Poverty and Hunger, President Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s full support for the Brazilian Presidency’s focus on these critical issues.

Highlighting the dire statistics from the World Bank, President Ramaphosa underscored that nearly 700 million people globally live in extreme poverty, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 67% of this population. “At the same time, countries with developing economies are faced with declining growth prospects, declining investments, and rising debt,” he noted, warning of the potential derailment of progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The South African President called for a renewed commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger, advancing gender equality, and addressing the crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

Reflecting on South Africa’s own journey since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, President Ramaphosa highlighted the country’s efforts to alleviate poverty and reduce inequality through substantial social protection programs. These include free basic services, healthcare, education, housing, and transport, which have lifted millions out of extreme poverty.

“Food security will be one of the high-level priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency,” President Ramaphosa announced, signaling a strong focus on ending malnutrition and hunger in line with South Africa’s National Development Plan.

He also called on the G20 to ensure that international financing decisions prioritize the achievement of the SDGs, stressing the need for long-overdue commitments to be fulfilled and for new, accessible funding mechanisms to be established to support sustainable development.

“We must leave no one behind,” the President concluded, urging collective action to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

The statement was met with widespread recognition, reaffirming the G20’s commitment to global cooperation in tackling poverty and hunger. President Ramaphosa’s address further cemented South Africa’s role as a leading voice in advocating for equitable development and social justice on the global stage.