The CPLP will organize the 6th edition of the CPLP race against hunger to help "tackle one of today's biggest challenges", announced the executive secretary, arguing that it will also serve to promote language and culture.

"The CPLP race - Together Against Hunger", which this year will be held at the Jamor National Sports Centre on 31 May, aims to "mobilize societies so that, together, they can tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: hunger", said Zacarias da Costa, at the headquarters of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Lisbon.

According to the executive secretary, "this event also has the potential to contribute, in a responsible way, to the promotion of the language and culture of the peoples of the CPLP," linking it to the International Day of the Portuguese Language, which is celebrated on May 5.

"This will be a unique opportunity to unite once again, strengthening the bonds of solidarity between countries that share the Portuguese language and to promote the necessary mobilization on social issues that are urgent and affect many communities around the world," he said.

Since 2014, this race has toured several member states, with editions held in Portugal, Cape Verde, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe, and aims to reflect "on issues that are fundamental" for the future of the community, such as "the fight against hunger, food and nutritional insecurity", he said.

He explained during his speech that the race originates from the Together Against Hunger campaign, which is a partnership between the CPLP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

For Zacarias da Costa, hunger continues to present worrying figures worldwide, thus putting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating this problem at risk.

Thus, he said, this year's edition takes up the efforts of previous editions to "continue to act, not only to eradicate hunger, but also to promote healthy lifestyle habits".

The executive secretary also pointed out that the race will be preceded by a conference on sports diplomacy in the CPLP, which will "explore how sport can serve as a powerful diplomatic tool to promote the language and bring to debate issues that have a relevant social impact" for the community.

The Juntos Contra a Fome campaign continues to support vulnerable communities in Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe, he said.

"The CPLP race is not just a sporting event. It's a movement. It's a symbol of our commitment to the well-being of the communities that need it most," he concluded.

The CPLP is made up of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor.(RM-NM)