South Africa urges UN to back international panel on inequality

South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Ozie Lamola, told the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 24 that global inequality is fueling divisive politics and demanded action. "Together with Brazil, Norway, Spain, South Africa calls on this Assembly to throw its weight behind the establishment of an international panel on inequality," Lamola said, urging member states to treat inequality as a systemic threat.

Lamola framed the proposal as a continuation of South Africa’s focus during its 2025 G20 presidency and tied it to stark wealth disparities, saying "the top 10% own roughly 75% of global wealth while the bottom 50% own only 2%." He argued that an international panel could help develop coordinated policy responses, emphasizing the link between inequality, social exclusion and the appeal of exclusionary politics.