Co-chair Wellington Dias presents Brazil’s integrated approach and calls for coordinated global action 

The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty demonstrated its growing influence at the Rome Nutrition Week, held from 26 to 30 May 2025 in Rome, Italy. The week focused on the theme ‘Coherent Policy and Action for Better Nutrition’ and was highlighted by a high-level address from Global Alliance Co-Chair and Brazilian Minister Wellington Dias. 

Speaking before a distinguished audience of global leaders, including His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, Dr. Najat Mokhtar of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and senior representatives from FAO, IFAD, WFP, WHO, and UNICEF, Dias outlined a powerful vision for integrated, results-driven strategies to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty. 

“Nutrition is not an isolated intervention. It requires coordinated national programs across multiple sectors”, Dias emphasized. Drawing from Brazil’s successful experience, he presented a portfolio of complementary policies, ranging from school feeding programs and solidarity kitchens to direct cash transfers and local food procurement, which collectively removed nearly 30 million people from hunger and halved extreme poverty in just two years. 

The minister highlighted Brazil’s Food Acquisition Program (PAA), which sources food from family farmers for public services such as schools and health facilities, and the Bolsa Família program, as examples of how food production can serve as a direct tool to combat poverty and foster social inclusion. 

Speaking to the assembly alongside Spain’s State Secretary Eva Granados, co-chair of Global Alliance, and other leaders, Dias issued a call to action: “Let us pool our resources and invest in countries prepared to implement well-designed programs. This is how we transform political commitment into tangible results.”