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.
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
