In a bold move aimed at combating one of the most pressing challenges of our time, South Africa has announced plans to table a significant draft resolution at the United Nations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed during a recent plenary session on extremism and inequality at the ‘In Defence of Democracy’ initiative in Barcelona, Spain, that the resolution seeks to establish an International Panel on Inequality.
This initiative is not merely reactive; rather, it anticipates a proactive role for the UN in addressing inequality—a scourge that remains deeply embedded in societies worldwide.
Slated for presentation during the UN General Assembly’s 80th resumed session in 2026, the draft resolution aims to create a body similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, dedicated to monitoring global inequality trends, assessing the factors that exacerbate them, and evaluating the effectiveness of international policies aimed at alleviating such disparities.
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‘Placing inequality firmly on the global agenda is essential for strengthening democracy and advancing social justice,’ Ramaphosa stated.
‘We are gathered not merely to defend democracy but to build democracy, and more importantly, to advance democracy,’
The drive for this landmark resolution stemmed from South Africa’s recent G20 Presidency, during which it commissioned a revolutionary report on global inequality. Spearheaded by a cohort of independent experts including Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, this report provides hopeful insights, concluding that inequality is neither predetermined nor insurmountable.
The findings suggest that with deliberate, informed policymaking, nations can effectively curtail inequality’s grip.
Ramaphosa’s vision has found significant support, including backing from the African Union, further legitimising the call for concerted action among UN member states.
‘If we are to empower people to take charge of their lives, it is essential that we intensify the struggle for equality and social justice,’ the President urged, acknowledging South Africa’s own struggle with one of the highest inequality rates globally, a legacy of its apartheid past.
Underpinning this critical initiative is a determination not only to confront inequality but to galvanise a collective global response. ‘We have the determination and the means to end inequality. Now we must act,’ asserted Ramaphosa, as he called upon leaders and citizens alike to join this vital endeavour.
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Picture: Gallo Images / Jeffrey Abrahams
Source: SA Gov News
