Ramaphosa promises a transformative G20 summit with equality at its core

As the countdown to the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg continues, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the pressing issue of global inequality, highlighting it as a pivotal focus of South Africa’s Presidency

Ramaphosa also promised a successful and responsive G20 Leaders Summit aimed at tackling issues of inequality and other socio-economic challenges.

On Monday, Ramaphosa, in his weekly newsletter, said when the country took over the Presidency of the G20 nearly a year ago, as part of his presidency, he identified ‘equality’ as one of the pillars of South Africa’s term with ‘solidarity’ and ‘sustainability’ as other pillars.

“We chose to focus on equality because it is essential to a more stable, prosperous, and sustainable world. If the G20 is going to live up to its mission to tackle pressing global economic and financial issues, then it needs to significantly and urgently reduce inequality,” he said.

Ramaphosa, who on the weekend delivered a message to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, said the world is faced with immense trials that could only be overcome through unity, multilateralism, and a commitment to peace, adding that the eradication of inequality must be prioritised to achieve world peace.

"The human cost of these inequalities is severe; one in four people globally face moderate or severe food insecurity.

These huge disparities are unjust and consign billions of people to poverty. Inequality is bad for everyone. It makes the world less stable, fuels conflict, and undermines democracy. It stifles inclusive economic growth and prosperity,” he added.

Last week, Ramaphosa 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.

He made this commitment following the handover of the report by the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, and further described this report as a “seminal and rigorous” document that offers a roadmap for addressing one of the world’s most urgent challenges.

“It is for this reason that I appointed an Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality as part of our G20 Presidency. The Committee, chaired by Nobel Laureate and renowned economist Joseph Stiglitz, handed over its findings last week. The report examines the causes and consequences of inequality and makes important recommendations.

“Given the importance of equality to sustaining global growth, to social and political stability, and to the legitimacy of international economic governance, it is good that at South Africa’s instance, this will be the first time the G20 will focus on this matter and consider an in-depth report of this nature,” he added.