New York:South Africa is leading efforts to create an International Panel on Inequality (IPI), urging United Nations member states to support a General Assembly resolution aimed at establishing a global mechanism to evaluate inequality and guide policy development.
According to South African Government News Agency, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, emphasized the importance of this initiative at a high-level event held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The event, which included participation from Brazil, Norway, Spain, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz, and other stakeholders, aimed to gather support for the IPI.
The proposal for the IPI stems from work done during South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025, under President Cyril Ramaphosa. An independent committee of experts, led by Stiglitz, recommended the establishment of a permanent international body to monitor and analyze inequality, as outlined in their report published in November 2025.
Minister Lamola stated that inequality impacts not only income and wealth but also democratic institutions, social cohesion, and human dignity. He called for urgent and coordinated action to address the issue globally, describing inequality as a significant threat to democracy and sustainable development.
The proposed IPI would provide governments and multilateral institutions with evidence-based assessments of inequality, focusing on income and wealth disparities. It would offer periodic reviews and support the development of policies based on empirical evidence, strengthening trust and cooperation among nations.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed highlighted the urgency of tackling the inequality crisis, noting the stark disparities in wealth distribution and access to basic needs. She warned of the potential for technological advances to exacerbate these inequalities if not managed inclusively.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira underscored Brazil's commitment to the initiative, which aligns with efforts made during its G20 Presidency in 2024. Brazil played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for the political support needed for the IPI.
Lamola reiterated the commitment of the IPI founding committee to a UN member state-led intergovernmental process for establishing the panel, while ensuring its independence. The committee has begun consultations on the panel's objectives, scope, and funding.
In summary, the initiative seeks to transition the inequality agenda from the G20 to the broader multilateral system, aiming for a UN resolution to establish the panel and address inequality alongside other global challenges.