Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the United Nations General Assembly meeting on the Adoption of the UN Resolution "Decade of Action on Nutrition" - March 25, 2025

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

As representatives of our governments, we should all be alarmed by the fact that one-third of the world’s population is affected by malnutrition, while food waste reaches staggering levels. More than that, we should all be ashamed that malnutrition is so widespread that many people suffer from the triple burden of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight or obesity.

These facts are a call to conscience, as President Lula has reiterated. They remind us that the eradication of hunger, the prevention of malnutrition, and the promotion of food security are not—and must not be considered — acts of charity, but acts of justice. These are the foundation of dignity, peace, and true development, which can only be achieved through effective multilateralism, as President Macron stated before this Assembly last September.

It is therefore an honor for me to present, on behalf of Brazil and France, draft resolution A/79/L66. This document extends the Decade of Action on Nutrition until 2030, aligning it with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It sustains political momentum at all levels and strengthens a unified effort to eradicate all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

As co-facilitators of the negotiations, Brazil and France have sought to address the concerns of all delegations to the best of our ability and are grateful for the flexibility demonstrated by these delegations. Despite our differences, our shared commitment to nutrition and food security is best served if we remain united.

This resolution also stands as a testament to the power and benefits of multilateralism. As we know, hunger and malnutrition know no borders. In addition to essential national and local efforts, our collective action is indispensable to tackling these challenges.

The resolution to be adopted today is much more than a mere extension of a deadline. It is a renewed commitment to fight together against a global scourge. It is also a recognition that malnutrition is deeply linked to social protection, education, health, water, and sanitation.

Children cannot learn if they are hungry. A community cannot thrive if its members are malnourished. A world that ignores these realities will remain trapped in cycles of instability, inequality, despair, and violence.

This resolution acknowledges the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative that underscores the urgency of this cause. It is not merely a platform for discussion but a commitment and a means for action.

The text also recognizes the Nutrition for Growth Summit, which will take place in Paris from March 27 to 28. This summit will provide the necessary political momentum to ensure that nutrition remains high on the multilateral agenda.

Finally, this resolution reaffirms the importance of the Global School Meals Coalition, which my country co-chairs with Finland and France, and which has made remarkable progress since its creation in 2021. Today, more than 418 million children around the world benefit from school meal programs — proof that together, we can act for future generations.

Excellencies,

We know that progress is possible. We have seen it through school feeding programs that unlock children’s potential. We have seen it with small-scale farmers who thrive with the right support and with nations that work together out of conviction, not just convenience.

Today, we reaffirm our responsibility. We choose action over indifference, commitment over complacency.

On behalf of Brazil and France, I thank all delegations for their constructive engagement, FAO and WHO for their support, and the 138 Member States that have co-sponsored this resolution. We invite others to join this initiative and encourage all of you to support this resolution.

Let us send a clear message: a world free from hunger and malnutrition is within our reach — if we choose to make it so.