This is a time that calls for courage and cooperation, as our world confronts challenges of unprecedented scale.
Climate change is reshaping our planet with alarming urgency.
Extreme weather events, floods, droughts or wildfires, are a stark reminder of the pressing need to decarbonise and protect nature.
Conflicts are fracturing the foundations of international peace and security.
The G20 has consistently emphasized the need to strengthen for example the WTO and to strengthen multilateralism and diplomacy.
Unfortunately, Russia as a member of this very G20 is escalating the war in Ukraine with the aid of Iranian drones and missiles and North Korean soldiers.
Who here believes that Iranian drones and missile or North Korean soldiers would ever bring peace in Europe?
Not only will it delay a just and lasting peace, in Ukraine, but it will increase tensions in East-Asia and the Middle East.
In the Middle East we have already seen so much tragedy and bloodshed.
Too many innocent lives have been lost.
We need better protect of civilians and expand humanitarian assistance at scale.
The only way to achieve this is a ceasefire with the immediate release of hostages and to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
I want to thank all that have worked tirelessly on achieving a ceasefire.
But make no mistake. Eventually only a two-State solution will bring lasting peace.
President Lula, you convene us at a pivotal moment.
Hunger and poverty are problems that can be solved.
This is why the EU is proud to fully support the Alliance as a founding member.
And we are ready to make commitments in all three pillars.
First, regarding domestic policies, the European Union commits to make the fight against poverty a priority.
We recently announced that the European Union will propose the first-ever Anti-Poverty Strategy.
That includes for example strategy includes for example, a Child Guarantee.
Because every Child needs access to early and free education.
Every child needs at least one healthy meal per day in school.
Early and free access to childcare is not only good for children it is also giving their parents the possibility to go to work and have an income.
This is why we set the goal to increase employment to 78% and we have introduced a minimum wage directive that fully applies since last week.
Second, regarding financial commitments, together with the Member States, the European Union is and remains the largest global provider of ODA.
We are contributing collectively with €96 billion in 2023.
And we committed 15 billion Euros over the last 3 years specifically to the fight against poverty and hunger to advance SDGs 1 and 2.
In addition we have the Global Gateway investment strategy to create jobs and local employment – it is the best insurance against poverty.
Through this initiative, we are mobilising €300 billion, to invest in sustainable infrastructure worldwide.
The EU's commitment to food security and the fight against hunger is central to our mission.
We kept our promise to invest €2.5 billion to fight global malnutrition between 2021-24.
We are on track to help 7 million children under five avoid stunting due to poor nutrition by 2025.
And we assisted more than 21 million smallholder farmers globally.
President Lula, through the G20 Global Alliance, stand ready to collaborate with all partners to deliver on our shared goals and to ensure that the fight against hunger, poverty, and inequality takes the central role it.
