Global Inequality and Climate Change: Brazilian President’s Address to the UN General Assembly

Global Inequality and Climate Change: Brazilian President’s Address to the UN General Assembly

Addressing Global Inequalities and Climate Change

In a recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva focused on critical global issues including hunger, climate change, and inequality. He noted that 735 million people worldwide face the uncertainty of whether they will have food the next day. In contrast, wealth is concentrated with the world’s 10,000 millionaires possessing more wealth than 40% of humanity. His speech underscored a lack of political will to address these glaring disparities.

The Simultaneous Crises

Lula Da Silva identified that the international community is faced with several simultaneous crises. These include the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, food and energy insecurity, and escalating geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, he pointed out the increasing spread of intolerance, racism, and xenophobia – paradoxically fueled by technological advancements meant to bridge people closer together. He encapsulated these challenges with one word: inequality.

UN 2030 Agenda: Ambitious or a Failure?

The Brazilian President warned that the United Nations’ most ambitious initiative, the 2030 Agenda, risks becoming its biggest failure, with the world still far from achieving its defined objectives. He suggested that the reduction of inequalities between countries should be the central goal of the 2030 Agenda. This would require the inclusion of the poor in government budgets and taxing the wealthy proportionally to their wealth.

Brazil’s Return to Democracy

Lula Da Silva, being the first world leader to address the UN headquarters on that day, expressed that his participation was a testament to his country’s democratic resilience. Despite overcoming hate and misinformation, he stated, “Brazil has reconnected with our region, with the world, and with multilateralism. Brazil has returned. Our country has come back to contribute to the great global challenges.”

Addressing the Climate Crisis

While addressing urgent global issues such as hunger and inequality, Lula Da Silva also focused on the climate emergency. He highlighted his government’s early efforts to tackle the climate crisis and environmental destruction. He noted that over the last eight months, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has been reduced by 48%, signaling a clear-headed approach towards championing the cause in the global south.

Combating Racism and Gender Inequality

Racism, intolerance, and xenophobia, according to Lula Da Silva, have been spread by new technologies supposedly designed to bring people closer. He expressed his government’s commitment to achieve racial equality in Brazilian society and combat all forms of violence against women. He also affirmed the rights of the LGBTQIA community and people with disabilities, emphasizing the need for these historically oppressed populations to occupy decision-making positions.

Confronting Global Inaction Against Inequality

Lula Da Silva criticized the lack of global action to combat various forms of inequality. He underscored the necessity of overcoming resignation, which makes people accept such injustice as a natural phenomenon. He also criticized international bodies, including the UN itself, the IMF, and the World Bank, for their lack of political will from those governing the world.