In meeting with Lula, World Bank president backs Global Alliance Against Hunger

On the morning of Wednesday, July 24, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with World Bank President Ajay Banga in Rio de Janeiro during a working meeting ahead of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty pre-launch event.

During the conversation, Banga declared his support for the Alliance, which is Brazil's main banner at the helm of the G20. Following Wednesday’s pre-launch, interested countries and institutions will be able to join the initiative. The Alliance’s formal launch will take place during the G20 Heads of State Summit in November

Banga praised Bolsa Família’s conception and results. He noted that he often cites the Brazilian Federal Government’s cash transfer program as example of a successful social policy that effectively reaches those who need it most.

The World Bank president also congratulated Lula on the ambitious New PAC, the federal government’s Growth Acceleration Plan, with more than BRL 1.7 trillion planned for public and private investments in infrastructure. He explained that the World Bank could participate in more projects and partnerships in Brazil.

The two leaders also discussed how to support small and medium-sized businesses to boost economic growth, employment and global supply chain integration.

They discussed public health, especially the diseases that become more prevalent as the country develops, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Banga praised Brazil's Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde/SUS). They also discussed the People's Pharmacy (Farmácia Popular), a program that distributes free medications for these and many other diseases.

Also present at the meeting were ministers Fernando Haddad (Finance) and Mauro Vieira (Foreign Affairs) and the Special Advisor to the Presidency, Celso Amorim.