Professor Imraan Valodia joins Extraordinary Global Committee on Wealth Inequality
- Southern Centre for Inequality Studies
South Africa’s historic G20 Presidency has taken a bold step in addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges: global inequality.
In a landmark move, the country has announced the formation of an Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Wealth Inequality, aimed at driving international action and awareness around disparities in income, wealth, and opportunity.
Among the distinguished experts invited to join this high-impact initiative is Professor Imraan Valodia, a leading South African economist, Director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, and Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Witwatersrand. The committee will be chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz, underscoring the significance and global reach of the initiative.
“Inequalities in wealth and income – across, within, and between countries – are unsustainable and undermine our collective ability to address the world’s most daunting challenges,” reads the official invitation. “They also pose a major obstacle to achieving peace, security, and sustainable development.”
South Africa has placed Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability at the heart of its G20 agenda, calling for a paradigm shift in global economic policy-making. The Extraordinary Committee is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 10, which focuses on reducing inequality within and among countries.
The initiative reflects South Africa’s belief that the G20, as the world’s leading forum for economic cooperation, must prioritize inequality as a central concern. The committee will bring together experts from across the globe to promote practical solutions, political courage, and international solidarity.
Professor Valodia’s inclusion in this prestigious group is a testament to his longstanding commitment to social justice, economic reform, and inclusive development. His work through the SCIS has positioned him as a thought leader in the fight against inequality, both in South Africa and internationally.
The global community now looks to the Extraordinary Committee to catalyse meaningful change and elevate the urgency of addressing inequality in all its forms.
