On Saturday, November 16, Copacabana Beach became the site of a poignant protest as 733 empty plates were laid out on the sands to symbolize the global scourge of hunger. Organized by the NGO Rio da Paz, the demonstration aimed to draw the attention of world leaders ahead of the G20 summit, hosted by Rio de Janeiro this year.
The empty plates represent the estimated 733 million people worldwide who experienced hunger in 2023, according to the United Nations. This staggering figure translates to one in eleven people globally and one in five across Africa.
“We chose 733 plates to represent hunger,” a Rio da Paz spokesperson explained. “This number is not arbitrary—it reflects the harsh reality faced by millions who go without food every day.”
The G20 summit, set to begin on Monday, November 18, will feature the launch of a global alliance against hunger and poverty. The initiative, first proposed by Brazil in July, aims to accelerate efforts to combat food insecurity and poverty, key priorities for Brazil’s presidency of the G20.
World leaders are expected to outline practical steps for implementing this alliance between 2025 and 2030, with a focus on eradicating hunger and reducing poverty globally. This comes as the world prepares to mark the 8th World Day of the Poor on November 17, a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
Reporting from Rio, Ohene Anochie highlights that the protest has amplified calls for urgent action. With global hunger reaching critical levels, expectations are high for the G20 nations to deliver meaningful solutions.
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