This came in his speech at the first session of the G20 summit, which began today, Monday, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, southeast of Brazil.

Aboul Gheit affirmed his support for the Brazilian initiative to establish the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty as the most pressing challenge facing the world today, saying, “Hunger and poverty are deeply interconnected, and the most vulnerable populations feel their impact most acutely.”

“I would be remiss if I did not highlight the peoples living under occupation, who have no chance of joining our common struggle or achieving real successes because the occupation is the main cause of poverty, for example in Palestine,” he added, stressing that this situation is “unacceptable, condemnable and must not be allowed to continue.”

“This is a historic moment for the Arab League, as we participate for the first time in this global forum that plays a unique and influential role in shaping the global agenda for a more just and sustainable future,” Aboul Gheit continued, expressing his appreciation for this invitation and “for providing the opportunity for our organization, which represents 22 Arab countries, to engage directly with G20 members on key issues and global challenges, at a time when the world is facing multiple and successive crises that reinforce each other and whose resolution requires stronger international cooperation.”