UNAIDS chief warns G20 leaders of inequality's perilous global impact amid support of report

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, one of the panellists responsible for putting together the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Experts on Global Inequality. Byanyima was speaking on the sidelines of the first day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Nasrec Conference Centre on Saturday evening.

She warned G20 leaders that entrenched inequalities within and between countries are a threat to the whole world, adding that inequalities are prolonging the AIDS crisis and other forms of inequality for Africa and other low-income countries.

Reacting to the reception the report has received from world leaders, she indicated that Norway, Brazil and South Africa have received this report very well.

She said, it is now a matter of time before other countries join in.

“What we are hoping for now is that more and more heads of state will join the three countries that have started championing the report. We are hoping this will lead to umbrella networks that will bring together all the researchers, who will decide regularly to focus on specific issues…Brazil, South Africa, and Norway have already come on board, and we are confident that more heads of state will join,” she said.

Byanyima praised President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africa for leading and championing the fight against inequality as part of the G20 Summit .

“First, that inequality is a danger to the world, and that reducing inequalities within and between countries will make everyone safer; second, that these inequalities can be overcome, if leaders act together. Inequality is not fate; it is a disastrous collective international policy choice that leaders can choose now to unmake.”

Byanyima noted that these inequalities exacerbate ongoing crises, particularly in Africa and other low-income countries, and have detrimental effects on efforts to combat AIDS. “Inequalities are prolonging the AIDS crisis,” she stated, underscoring the urgency for action as discussions around health, economic stability, and equality take centre stage.

In her remarks, Byanyima reacted positively to the early reception of a pivotal report by Norway, Brazil, and South Africa, who have become the first nations to endorse its recommendations. “It is now a matter of time before other countries join in,” she stated, expressing optimism that this growing alliance would cultivate umbrella networks bringing together researchers and leaders to focus on pressing global issues.

The report which has been well-received by Ramaphosa and other leaders has revealed that inequality is one of the most urgent concerns in the world today, generating many other problems in economies, societies, polities and the environment.

The report further states that inequality causes people’s lives to be more fragile, leading to perceptions of unfairness that spark frustration and resentment.

"Inequality is closely linked to poverty and in turn, undermines social and political cohesion, eroding citizens’ trust in authorities and institutions. The consequences are political instability, decreased confidence in democracy, enhanced conflicts and diminished appetite for international cooperation. Inequality also affects our ability to deal with planetary challenges," she stated.

With the report said to be gaining momentum, Biyanyima applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africa for his role in championing the fight against inequality.

"We are grfful for the support we have received from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has commissioned this report as we view ineqaulity as one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth,, espcially for developing and low income countries, who are spending more of their income servicing foreign debt," she added.