The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development convened to address the pressing issues of poverty and hunger, focusing on the intersection of these challenges with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As global leaders reviewed the status of these goals, a consensus emerged on the necessity of legislative and policy measures to combat food insecurity and the alarming weaponisation of food and water, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza.
With 712 million people, or 9% of the global population, living in extreme poverty and 65% of the targets under SDG 2 (ending hunger) either stagnating or regressing, the urgency of the forum’s discussions was palpable. The first day saw a review of SDG 17, which concerns the global partnership for sustainable development, revealing that over 30% of its targets had either stagnated or declined.
Leaders highlighted how these goals intersect with gender issues, conflict, agriculture, the economy, human rights, and the shortcomings of the multilateral system. They acknowledged that the triple planetary crisis—pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change—has exacerbated human vulnerabilities and increased social costs.
Ending poverty: Focus on Africa imperative
On July 9, 2024, under the co-chairmanship of Tarek Ladeb, Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Tunisia, and Bob Rae, Vice-President of ECOSOC Canada, the review of SDG 1 (no poverty) underscored the multifaceted nature of poverty and explored innovative solutions to this enduring challenge.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reversed progress, causing extreme poverty to increase for the first time in decades, as detailed in the UN Secretary-General’s 2024 SDG report presented by Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The recovery has been uneven, particularly for low-income nations, with less than three out of ten countries expected to halve national poverty by 2030 without significant acceleration in poverty alleviation efforts.
Rola Dashti of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia highlighted that Africa accounts for more than half of the world's impoverished population, making the continent’s progress critical to global advancement. Bob Rae echoed this sentiment, noting that none of the SDG 1 targets are on track for 2030.
Shahra Razavi of the International Labour Organization warned that administrative and data errors often exclude eligible beneficiaries from social protection programmes, leaving 1.4 billion children unprotected. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, stressed that women are disproportionately affected by poverty and advocated for prioritising spending on human rights commitments.
Germany and other nations emphasised integrating economic growth within global frameworks, while countries like Tanzania and Timor Leste called for measures that address the synergies of the SDGs. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stressed the importance of agri-food systems, despite challenges posed by political unrest and climate change. Brazil showcased its social security programmes, benefiting over 21 million households since 2022, and Germany highlighted the necessity of balancing economic expansion with environmental limits.
Legislative, policy measures needed
In 2022, between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger, and 2.4 billion experienced food insecurity. The session on SDG 2 examined the intricate connections between food security and global trends. Faryal Ahmed of UN DESA projected that by 2030, 20% of children under five will be stunted, with Iain Wright of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition noting a 10% GDP loss in Africa due to child stunting.
Lebanese MP Inaya Ezzedine called for national and international legal frameworks to safeguard the right to food, while Aline Mosnier of the FABLE Pathways Consortium stressed the need to address the hidden costs of unhealthy diets amid rising non-communicable diseases. Uganda and Thailand highlighted agroecology’s role in linking agricultural output to health, nutrition, and climate resilience.
The Zambian delegate pointed out the vulnerability of staple foods to natural calamities, recommending small-scale farmers diversify their crops and secure prudent insurance. Aline Mosnier and Iain Wright emphasized the interconnectedness of SDGs 1 and 2 and the urgent need for resource mobilisation and investments in nutrition resilience.
Leaders also called for an end to the weaponisation of food and water, particularly in Gaza, where these essentials are being used as tools of mass destruction, further highlighting the critical need for comprehensive and coordinated global action to achieve the SDGs.
The discussions at the HLPF underscored the intrinsic link between achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and the broader array of global goals. Addressing poverty is not merely an isolated objective but a cornerstone for sustainable development. The forum’s focus on Africa illustrates the critical importance of ensuring that no region is left behind in the global effort to eradicate poverty. The call for legislative and policy measures to tackle food insecurity and protect human rights aligns with the overarching aim of SDG 1, reinforcing the need for a holistic approach to sustainable development that prioritises the most vulnerable populations.