The Inequality Hype: How to Turn Words Into Action?

Inequality on the World Stage: Global Leaders Call for Action at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

In September, at the annual UNGA in New York, global leaders sounded the alarm once again that the current path of inequality–and wealth concentration–is unsustainable and morally indefensible. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that rising inequalities are a driver of unsustainability and a stain on our collective conscience, further claiming that inequality is not a technical or bureaucratic issue. “At its heart, inequality is a question of power with historic roots,” he stated.

In fact, while the Nobel Prize winners underscored the importance of inclusive institutions domestically, African, Latin American, and Asian states called for fairer representation in global governance. Across all regions, leaders called for urgent action through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reforming the global financial system that currently benefits wealthy nations while trapping developing countries in cycles of debt and underdevelopment. 

These urgent calls from leaders are mirrored in public debate, where topics like wealth disparity, climate injustice, and access to essential services have intensified. Inequality is now widely recognized as a major global issue. Last summer, 200 prominent economists from 67 countries sent a letter to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres and World Bank President Ajay Banga, urging them to take stronger action to reverse the steepest rise in global inequality since World War II. Even the millionaires want to reduce inequality. A poll of millionaires in G20 countries found that the majority support higher taxes on wealth, with over half believing that extreme wealth poses a “threat to democracy.”

Consensus Without Commitment: Why Real Change on Inequality Is Still Missing

Many of the proposed measures still avoid addressing the core issue: the existence of economic and political, human-made systems serving the super-rich at the expense of the global majority. Too often, policy responses focus solely on alleviating the most visible forms of deprivation—hunger, lack of education, or poor healthcare—without addressing the deeper structural factors that allow the wealthiest to accumulate and hoard the world’s resources.

For instance, while Brazil has taken a leadership role in addressing inequality such as prioritizing it during their 2023 G20 presidency, much of the focus has remained on hunger and poverty. Although these are critical issues, they address only part of the problem. Why? Because measures like cash transfers, expanded healthcare, and new schools (while undoubtedly beneficial for individuals) do not challenge the deeper power structures that sustain inequality and erode institutions created to serve all.

According to the Oxfam and Development Finance International’s latest Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index—which evaluates 164 governments on their commitment to addressing inequality in key areas such as essential public services, progressive taxation, and labor rights—nearly nine out of ten countries are enacting policies that are likely to widen the gap between the rich and poor.

Building Fairer Systems: The Push for Global Tax Reform and Institutional Strengthening

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, inequality is a global issue that no country can tackle alone. Tax havens, an unregulated digital economy, and the race to the bottom on corporate tax rates allow wealth to accumulate unchecked in the hands of a few individuals. Following a strong push from Finance Ministers at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference to reform global tax systems in 2022, negotiations are now underway at the UN to establish a new framework convention on tax cooperation. A treaty-based international tax system would curb this concentration of wealth by introducing measures to ensure that the ultra-rich pay their fair share and manage proper taxation of the digital economy. 

Developments at the international level can empower domestic actors to reduce inequalities within their own countries, increasing national mobilization and fostering an environment to better equip all nations—especially low- and middle-income countries. This can provide the national governments with much needed resources to implement the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals, while preventing a small ultra-wealthy minority from influencing politics. Combating tax havens and illicit financial flows can further support these efforts by reducing the undue influence of wealthy individuals and corporations, thereby helping to prevent state capture.

While tax cooperation negotiations are progressing, much work remains at the domestic level. It may feel like hope is fading, but history shows that change is possible—we’ve done it before, and we can do it again. Where there is political will, there is always a path forward.

The Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies’ flagship report, From Rhetoric to Action: Delivering Equality and Inclusion, demonstrates that countries and local communities have achieved lasting progress toward more inclusive and equitable societies. The findings reveal that those making sustained improvements followed a three-pronged approach:

1. Delivering tangible, material benefits that improve everyday life, such as strengthening social safety nets, increasing access to housing, education, and healthcare, and ensuring fair wages and working conditions.
2. Building solidarity across groups, particularly in societies divided by historical injustices or prejudice. Initiatives like truth-telling, justice and police reforms, and community empowerment can bridge these divisions and prevent them from being exploited.
3. Securing institutional credibility by combating corruption, broadening political power, and mobilizing public finances to support long-term progress.

The Inequality Solutions Portal: Tools for Action

No one-size-fits-all solution exists to creating peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. Knowledge sharing and access to proven strategies are key. The Inequality Solutions Portal—think of it as a blend of Netflix and a think tank—offers a growing resource of well-researched policies demonstrating that change is possible. 

From housing initiatives in Uruguay and Finland to land ownership reforms in Australia and Sierra Leone, the portal showcases successful interventions. Providing access to these strategies enables governments, civil society, and international organizations to learn from what works and avoid repeating past mistakes.

The Time for Action is Now

While it’s encouraging to see inequality receiving more attention, whether through Nobel Prizes, high-level UN discussions, or media coverage, talking about it is not enough. Meaningful change demands leaders bold enough to confront the forces rigging the system and to deliver concrete results for those who need them most.

When we come together across our differences—whether we live in Spain or South Africa, whether we’re struggling to get by or more comfortable—we can ensure that everyone pays their fair share and that no matter where we live, what we look like, or how much money we have, we all have what we need to live a decent and good life—no exceptions.