Rio de Janeiro, November 19, 2024 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza amidst a growing humanitarian crisis, speaking at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil on Monday.
Addressing the session titled Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty, Erdogan highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, where 96% of the population—over 2 million people—lack access to healthy food and clean water.
“The risk of famine in Gaza has reached disaster levels according to international classifications,” Erdogan said. He warned that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly due to intensified attacks and the onset of winter.
Türkiye has provided over 86,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza and 1,300 tons to Lebanon, underscoring its commitment to global humanitarian efforts, Erdogan added.
Global Hunger and Poverty
Erdogan pointed to broader global hunger issues, emphasizing that one in every ten people worldwide suffers from hunger, and progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals has been insufficient.
He lauded Brazil’s G20 presidency for launching the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, describing it as a strategic and moral imperative. While supporting global initiatives, Erdogan stressed the importance of aiding civilians affected by conflicts, particularly in Gaza, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Türkiye’s Leadership in Food Security and Sustainability
Erdogan outlined Türkiye’s proactive role in combating hunger and poverty. He cited the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has helped stabilize global food prices and mitigate famine risks, and the G20 Food Security and Sustainable Food Systems Action Plan, developed under Türkiye’s G20 presidency in 2015.
He also highlighted the global success of Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project, which inspired the UN to declare March 30 as International Zero Waste Day. Erdogan called for including waste reduction and sustainability in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty’s priorities.
Comprehensive Social Security
Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s inclusive social security system and active participation in food security initiatives as cornerstones of its humanitarian foreign policy.
Expressing Türkiye’s readiness to collaborate with global partners, Erdogan concluded, “We are committed to building a world where everyone has access to sufficient and healthy food.”
