Bringing The Issue Of Starvation Due To War, Puan In Brazil: This Is The Most Dangerous Time Since World War II

The Impact of the Israeli attack on Beirut Lebanon/DAR UNICEF/Dar al Mussawir/Ramzi Haidar

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, attended the 10th G20 Parliamentary Speaker's Summit (P20) which was held in Brazil, South America. In the parliamentary leadership forum for the G20 countries, Puan spoke about the issue of hunger due to war.

The 10th P20 will be held at the National Congress of Brazil or the Brazilian parliamentary office in the Brazilian capital. The P20 series has been held since November 6, 2024 with Brazil as the holder of the P20 presidency this year with the theme Parliament for a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet.

Puan who was present accompanied by Deputy Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) Irine Yusiana Roba Putri, Deputy Chairman of Commission XII DPR Dony Maryadi and Member of Commission III of the DPR Gilang Dhielafararez attended three meetings in P20.

In the 10th P20 session which was held on Thursday (7/11/2024) afternoon local time, Puan was appointed as the first speaker. This session titled Parliamentary Contribution to the War Against Starvation, Poverty and Inequality'.

"I would like to express my appreciation to the President of the Deputy Chamber and President of the Brazilian Federal Senate who hosted the 2024 P20 Talks Summit in the City of Brasilia which was dynamic and for the hospitality given to me and the delegation of the Indonesian House of Representatives," said Puan, starting her statement.

Puan then mentioned the global crisis that is being faced and disrupting people's lives around the world.

Starting from the Covid-19 pandemic, economic instability, climate change, as well as war and various conflicts that have increased food and energy insecurity. Nearly 700 million people, equivalent to 8.5 percent of the global population in the world, are still living in extreme poverty.

"We live in an era of geopolitical tension, war and conflict that is increasing. Maybe this is the most dangerous period since World War 2 (World War II). In short, the world is facing a storm at the same time," said the grandson of Proclaimer Ir. Sukarno.

The increasing geopolitical tensions and the magnitude of competition between countries, according to Puan, have diverted the world's attention from the poor. Whereas global military spending reached US$ 2.4 trillion in 2023 or equivalent to 2.3% of global GDP.

Meanwhile, in the same period in 2023, official development assistance (ODA) amounted to US$ 223.7 billion or less than 10% of global military spending.

"Although we know that the international community is having difficulty allocating a budget for climate funding and building schools, health facilities, and other development needs for developing countries," explained Puan.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives then questioned what would happen if the world could allocate 50% of global military spending or around US$ 1.2 trillion annually until 2030 to help the poor. Puan said, of course, this would have a big impact.

"We will have a different world, where the world's agenda free from poverty and hunger can be achieved by 2030," he said.

Puan hopes that P20 can make parliament renew its political commitment to sharpen the budget allocation in each country, in order to create a more peaceful and prosperous world. This applies to all, both large and small countries.

"We are all political leaders in our country who can make differences. We can influence governments in our respective countries, including influencing the resolution of disputes and our differences in a peaceful way," said Puan.

As countries with the leading economy, the G20 is said to be able to take bold action in leading by setting an example of improving the world's focus and priorities. At the same time, said Puan, various crises in the world are also demanding mutual attention.

"Therefore, it is up to us whether we want to make peace so that we can alleviate poverty, fight hunger, and solve the gap," said the 8th P20 leader in 2022.

Puan also stressed that all members of the P20 state must support ending the war in Gaza, Ukraine and its surroundings. She asked all G20 countries to immediately voice a ceasefire in Gaza, and provide humanitarian assistance.