Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to placing the fight against global inequality at the centre of the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Johannesburg later this month. Speaking at the handover of the report by the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality at Tuynhuys on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa described the report as a ‘seminal and rigorous’ document that offers a roadmap for addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges.
According to South African Government News Agency, the report, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz, represents the first comprehensive examination of inequality to be presented to the G20 for consideration. President Ramaphosa emphasised that inequality is not only a moral issue but a direct threat to democracy, inclusive growth, and global peace. The report, which serves as a blueprint for greater equality, supports South Africa’s goal as G20 President to ensure inequality remains a key focus on the global agenda.
President Ramaphosa recalled his remarks during the establishment of the Extraordinary Committee in August 2025, highlighting how inequality continues to erode human dignity. He cited examples such as vaccine apartheid and the economic fallout of global crises, expressing that people across the world are aware of how extreme inequality undermines their dignity and opportunities for a better future.
The President commended the committee for its work, noting that the report provides practical and actionable steps that governments and societies can take to narrow the gap between and within nations. He expressed appreciation to Professor Stiglitz, the committee of experts, and supporting organisations such as Oxfam for their contributions to the study. The document is set to form the foundation for discussions at the upcoming G20 Summit, which South Africa will host for the first time.
The Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality was established under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 to examine the structural causes of inequality and propose strategies to achieve a fairer global economy.