In the lead-up to the G20 summit, which starts in Rio de Janeiro today, host country Brazil has launched the Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty. Given that the first and second UN Sustainable Development Goals are to end poverty and hunger, respectively, by 2030, this is an important and urgent step.
The G20, which comprises the world's 20 largest economies, as well as the EU and the African Union, has over the past quarter century, aspired to play a key role in addressing the world's hot-button issues. The grouping's collective might – it boasts about 85 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, comprises more than 75 per cent of global trade and includes around two thirds of the planet’s population – gives it the collaborative power, resources and leadership to tackle some of our most acute crises.
The Global Alliance, then, is an opportunity for the world's richest countries to join forces
Despite rapid progress being made in diverse fields, including technology and health care, we still live in a world where billions don't have enough to eat. Last year, about 2.3 billion people globally faced moderate or severe food insecurity, according to the World Health Organisation. Of those, more than 864 million people were particularly worse off, facing severe food insecurity, having to go without food for a whole day or more.
The current situation comes after decades-long progress made in tackling hunger and poverty. These efforts stalled recently due in large part to the Covid-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts and climate change. The Global Alliance, then, is an opportunity for the world's richest countries to join forces in an effort to drive necessary funding to nations that are the most severely affected by these debilitating factors.
Leading a delegation representing the UAE, which is a frequent guest at G20 summits given its network of alliances and economic clout, is Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who will be well versed with these challenges. The UAE has exerted much effort to tackle major challenges like those of poverty, disease, hunger and bolstering food security in the Mena region and beyond.
Coming to a consensus between key member countries despite having divergent interests – most notably between the US, China and Russia – it has proved difficult to resolve some of today's pressing geopolitical issues, namely the wars in Ukraine and the Levant. Surely, however, unanimity is more easily achieved on the development agenda, where interests overlap.
The G20's message of urgency for the world's most powerful countries, including geopolitical rivals, to unite in an effort to attain the UN's sustainable goals, especially poverty and hunger, cannot be overstated. According to a report released by the UN in June, "only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are currently on track, with nearly half showing minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third stalled or regressing".
Brazil's Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias, told Reuters last week that the issue is not a lack of funds: the world invests about $100 billion a year to fight poverty and hunger. "The problem," he pointed out, "is that investments are too fragmented and inefficiently allocated."
As leaders meet over the next two days, it is imperative that a part of the mandate for the Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty, beyond pledging funds, focuses on how those funds are used in a holistic manner so that the most vulnerable people in the world begin to see their lives improve.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
