“Inequality must inspire indignation. Indignation with hunger, poverty, war, disrespect for the human being,” Lula said at the beginning of the debates of the 78th session of the UNGA in New York.

He stressed that only ‘moved by the force of indignation will we be able to act with will and determination to overcome inequality and effectively transform the world around us.’

He urged the UN to play its role as builder of a fairer, more united and more fraternal world, and it will only do so ‘if its members have the courage to proclaim their indignation with inequality and to work tirelessly to overcome it.’

Lula recalled that 20 years ago he took this stand for the first time and ‘I return today to say that I maintain my unwavering confidence in humanity.’

He said that at that time, the world had not yet realized about the seriousness of the climate crisis, but today ‘it is knocking on our doors, destroying our homes, our cities, our countries, killing and imposing losses and suffering on our brothers and sisters, especially the poorest.’

He warned that hunger affects 735 million human beings who ‘will sleep tonight without knowing if they will have something to eat tomorrow.’

For Lula, the UN’s broadest and most ambitious collective action towards development, the 2030 Agenda, may become its greatest failure.

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