The First Lady was honored this Wednesday (4th March) and assumes the role of publicizing scientific efforts and increasing awareness about the eradication of hunger
The First Lady of Brazil, Janja da Silva, was named this Wednesday (March 4, 2026) Champion of Social Equality by the (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). The title was presented by the organization’s director general, Chinese diplomat Qu Dongyu, at the opening ceremony of LARC39 (39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean), at the Itamaraty Palace, in Brasília.
The honor recognizes Janja’s work with FAO in tackling food insecurity. With the title, she assumes the mission of publicizing the organization’s scientific efforts and increasing global awareness about the eradication of hunger and poverty.
“I will take a closer look at women and girls, because they are the ones who suffer most from the scourge of hunger and food insecurity. As long as there is someone hungry, our scourge will not end” said Janja upon receiving the title
When handing over the recognition, Qu Dongyu called Janja a champion and highlighted her commitment to social equality and the fight against world hunger.
In October 2025, Janja was chosen to represent Brazil at the World Food Forum, in Rome, Italy.
From left to right: Qu Dongyu (director-general of FAO), Lula (president of the Republic) and Janja (first lady), during a tour at the opening of the FAO Regional Conference, in Brasília
FAO guidelines
LARC39 is FAO’s main regional forum for defining priorities and strategic alignment of the organization’s actions for the 2026-2027 biennium. Held from March 2nd to 6th, the conference brings together ministers and representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries to discuss food security, sustainable agriculture and regional cooperation.
Before the opening ceremony, Janja and the president (PT) visited the Exhibition celebrating FAO’s 80th anniversary and Brazilian South-South cooperation, alongside Qu Dongyu.
When opening the work, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, highlighted Lula’s leadership in the fight against hunger, citing Brazil’s exit from the Hunger Map and the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Vieira stated that hunger results from inequalities and exclusions and that it can be faced through political decisions and multilateralism.
Minister Paulo Teixeira (Agrarian Development) argued that food sovereignty depends on peace in the countryside and between nations. “We cannot remain silent and passively accept irresponsible actions that violate international law and put the lives of millions of people at risk, such as those that have increased in the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa”these.
Among the authorities present were:
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) – President of the Republic;
- Rosângela Lula da Silva – first lady;
- – Minister of Foreign Affairs;
- – Minister of Agriculture and Livestock;
- – Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming;
- – Minister of Development and Social Assistance and Combating Hunger;
- – Minister of Education;
- – Minister of Health;
- – Minister of Environment and Climate Change;
- – Minister of Indigenous Peoples;
- – Minister of Racial Equality;
- – minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency;
- Qu Dongyu – director general of FAO.
Among the foreign delegations, there were Ministers of Agriculture and heads of delegation from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela and 20 other countries in the region, as well as representatives from Ireland and the United Kingdom.
