South Africa has used the United Nations General Assembly to call for stronger multilateral cooperation in tackling global inequality and reforming international institutions.
This was the central message of International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola’s address to the UN General Debate in New York.
South Africa warned that growing inequality is undermining faith in democracy and international cooperation. Minister Lamola noted that the world’s richest 10 percent own about 75 percent of global wealth, while the poorest half of humanity owns just 2 percent.
He said that this imbalance is fuelling division, exclusion and the rise of intolerant political movements. South Africa is calling for the establishment of an International Panel on Inequality, alongside Brazil, Norway and Spain. Minister Lamola argued that multilateral institutions must prove they can address inequality, poverty and insecurity if they are to retain public trust.
He also highlighted the heavy debt burden facing African countries, saying resources needed for development are being diverted to debt repayments. The minister called for reforms to the global financial system and greater support for developing nations.
