Ramaphosa Warns Global Inequality Threatens Democracy, Calls for International Panel

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stark warning that rising global inequality poses a direct threat to democratic systems worldwide, urging the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality to address the crisis through coordinated, evidence-based action.

Speaking at a global dialogue on inequality, Ramaphosa emphasized that economic disparities are not merely social concerns but fundamental challenges to political stability and inclusive governance. “When people lose faith that the system works for them, democracy itself is at risk,” he stated, linking entrenched inequality to declining trust in institutions and the rise of polarization.

The President reiterated South Africa’s commitment to using its G20 presidency to advance equity and sustainability, noting that the nation’s stewardship of over 130 meetings across Africa and beyond has been guided by the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility. He highlighted that hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Cradle of Humankind symbolized a return to humanity’s common origins and a renewed commitment to collective problem-solving.

Ramaphosa called for the creation of an International Panel on Inequality modeled after successful global scientific bodies, proposing it would gather data, analyze trends, and recommend policies to reduce disparities in income, opportunity, and access to essential services. Such a panel, he argued, would ensure that inequality remains a standing item on the global agenda, much like climate change or public health.

He also addressed the United Nations directly, affirming South Africa’s support for multilateralism and urging stronger coordination between the G20, UN agencies, and regional economic communities to ensure that development strategies prioritize the most vulnerable.

The remarks come amid growing concern over the uneven recovery from global crises, with wealth concentration increasing although access to healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure remains unequal both between and within nations. Ramaphosa stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without confronting these structural imbalances.

As South Africa continues its G20 term, the President affirmed that the country will push for concrete outcomes on inequality, including financing for social protection, fair taxation, and investment in quality public services — insisting that prosperity must be broadly shared to safeguard the future of democracy.