President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent global action to tackle inequality, warning that it poses a direct threat to democracy and social justice worldwide.

Speaking at the “In Defence of Democracy” initiative in Barcelona, Ramaphosa addressed an audience of global leaders, including Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, urging a united effort to confront widening disparities.

“It is essential that we intensify the struggle for equality and social justice,” Ramaphosa said.

“We are gathered not merely to defend democracy but to build democracy, but more importantly to advance democracy.”

The president emphasised that inequality remains one of the most pressing global challenges, but stressed that it is not unavoidable.

Citing findings from a global inequality report commissioned during South Africa’s G20 Presidency and led by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Ramaphosa said: “Inequality is neither inevitable nor interminable. By the policies we adopt and the actions we take, we can end inequality.”

Central to South Africa’s proposal is the creation of an International Panel on Inequality, a body inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

According to Ramaphosa, the panel would “monitor trends and assess drivers and consequences of inequality” while evaluating policy solutions to guide governments and the international community.

South Africa, with the backing of the African Union, plans to table a draft resolution at the United Nations General Assembly later this year to formalise the panel’s establishment.

“This will ensure that inequality is placed as a critical issue on the global agenda that requires the ongoing attention of world leaders,” Ramaphosa said, calling on all UN member states to support the initiative.

The president also acknowledged South Africa’s own deep structural inequalities, describing the country as “possibly the most unequal society in the world,” a legacy of apartheid.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these disparities while encouraging international cooperation.

“We have the determination and the means to end inequality. Now we must act,” he said.

“This is the time for us to lead the world to address inequality.”

The address formed part of Ramaphosa’s working visit to Spain, where global leaders are engaging on strengthening democratic systems amid rising extremism and economic inequality.

*This article was first published by IOL News