Doha, Qatar – November 3, 2025 – The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) buzzed with diplomatic energy on Monday as the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP) officially commenced. This landmark one-day summit, hosted by Qatar and co-chaired by Brazil and Spain, drew heads of state, ministers, CEOs, and representatives from over 200 member entities, including more than 100 countries, regional organizations, international agencies, and civil society groups. Marking the alliance's first high-level gathering since its launch at the 2024 G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro under Brazil's presidency, the event served as a precursor to the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for November 4-6 in the same venue.
Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, inaugurated the proceedings with an opening address praising Brazil's visionary leadership in establishing the alliance. "This initiative transforms bold ideas into actionable frameworks that serve humanity," she declared, emphasizing collaborative efforts to align global partners with national strategies for combating hunger and poverty. The summit reviewed the alliance's progress over its inaugural year, showcased tangible achievements, issued strategic guidance, and solicited fresh commitments to accelerate momentum toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger).
Nearly a year after its formal inception at the G20, where Qatar pledged to host this debut leaders' forum, the alliance has expanded rapidly. As of October 2025, membership stands at 104 countries, 53 foundations, 30 international organizations, and 14 financial institutions. Key milestones include the establishment of a Support Mechanism in Rome, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Board of Champions' approval of initiatives like "Sprints 2030" – targeted programs to eradicate extreme poverty through scaled-up social protection, school meals for 150 million additional children, and billions in multilateral financing.
High-profile participants underscored the urgency of the crisis. Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama highlighted his nation's active role in international cooperation, noting Somalia's vulnerability to climate-driven food insecurity. Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, speaking on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, reiterated Cairo's commitment to integrated financing reforms. UN officials, including FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, stressed that hunger is "entirely preventable," attributing it to failures in access, affordability, and social protections rather than food scarcity.
The meeting unfolded against a backdrop of alarming global statistics. The 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report revealed over 730 million people facing hunger in 2023, with 2.3 billion experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity – figures exacerbated by conflicts, climate shocks, and economic inequalities. Speakers warned that without decisive action, progress toward the 2030 Agenda remains stalled, with extreme poverty affecting over 800 million people despite decades of pledges.
A press conference followed, led by co-chairs Brazil's Minister Wellington Dias and Spain's Secretary Eva Granados, alongside Support Mechanism Director Renato D. Godinho. They announced innovative partnerships, including country-led "Fast Track Initiatives" aligning donors with national anti-poverty plans. Amid shrinking aid budgets, the alliance pledged to leverage events like the 2025 Financing for Development Conference in Seville and COP30 in Belém to reform global financial architecture.
Qatar's role as host was pivotal, building on its history of convening global forums. H.E. Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN, noted that the broader Social Development Summit marks the first UN General Assembly session outside New York or Geneva. Over 8,000 delegates are expected for the main summit, where the "Doha Political Declaration" will renew commitments to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration's pillars: poverty eradication, full employment, and social inclusion.
Parallel events amplified the summit's impact. The Doha Solutions Forum for Social Development, co-hosted with France, showcased measurable policies on rural livelihoods, gender justice, and climate-resilient social protection. A Private Sector Forum and Civil Society Forum fostered cross-sector dialogue, while youth parachutists displayed SDG banners during a flag-raising ceremony on November 2, symbolizing intergenerational resolve.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, though not present at the leaders' meeting, has championed the alliance as a bridge between promises and action. In prior statements, he called for a "new social contract" integrating universal health coverage, adequate housing, and decent work. Experts like Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged leaders to address root causes: "Families are taking loans simply to afford food or housing."
The alliance's country-led model stands out. Unlike traditional aid, it mobilizes resources around sovereign strategies, with Brazil covering half the operational costs until 2030 and offices in Brasília and Rome. Success stories include Brazil-Africa dialogues formalizing accessions from Eswatini, Senegal, and Zimbabwe, plus commitments from the African Development Bank.
Critics, however, caution against over-reliance on voluntary pledges. Amid aid cuts and geopolitical tensions, sustaining financing remains challenging. The Board of Champions, comprising up to 50 high-level figures, has pushed for convergence at forums like the IMF/World Bank meetings.
As sessions concluded, participants issued a unified call: "A world free from hunger and poverty is not a distant aspiration. It is within reach, if we reach for it together." New commitments included expanded school meal programs and climate-hunger linkages for COP30's Leaders’ Declaration.
Transitioning seamlessly into the Second World Summit, Doha positions itself as a hub for multilateralism. With nearly 14,000 attendees anticipated, the week promises actionable outcomes: from the Doha Political Declaration to solutions platforms tackling inequality, youth unemployment, and digital divides.
This convergence in Qatar reaffirms the 1995 Copenhagen spirit after 30 years of uneven progress. As flags of Qatar and the UN flew high, delegates departed energized, vowing to translate dialogue into deliverance. The fight against hunger and poverty, long declared winnable, now hinges on sustained, collective will.
