In reaction to the G20 communique, Oxfam International Head of Inequality Policy and Advocacy, Max Lawson said:
“This is the first ever meeting of world leaders, in history, where the inequality emergency was put at the center of the agenda. This is testament to South Africa’s leadership – one that put the billions before the billionaires.
“South Africa has set an example to the world in ensuring the G20 stood firm and collectively agreed on a leader’s declaration – defending multilateralism – despite U.S. strong-arming.
“Nevertheless, it is disappointing that rich countries and their allies watered down the communique, clearly spooked by the ghost of President Trump. The communique does not reflect the clear momentum worldwide for taxing the super-rich.
“As the U.S. takes the helm of the G20, never has the choice between a world of global oligarchy or equality been clearer. Inequality is a political choice. Taxing the ultra-rich, addressing the debt and climate crises and investing in a fairer future are choices that can and must be made by countries – irrespective of who is in charge of the G20.
“An immediate step that all countries must take is to support the creation of a new global Independent Panel on Inequality – a plan that South Africa, Spain and multiple countries now champion.”
/ENDS
Notes to editors:
Oxfam experts are available for comment.
See here for photos and footage of our G20 Big Heads stunt.
Read Oxfam’s curtain raiser ahead of the G20 with the headline statistic: G20 billionaires’ fortunes rise by $2.2 trillion in just one year, more than enough to lift everyone above the global poverty line.
Oxfam is calling for G20 countries to:
- Fairly tax the super-rich. G20 leaders must continue the legacy from the previous G20 and tax extreme wealth.
- Support the creation of a panel on inequality to provide scientific evidence and recommendations on how to tackle inequality.
- Tackle the spiraling debt crisis. More than half of low-income countries are facing or at risk of defaulting on their debt. The G20’s plan to tackle debt has failed.
The G20 is a meeting bringing together the 20 largest economies to address pressing global challenges and foster economic cooperation. South Africa, the host country, held the G20 in Johannesburg and made tackling inequality a core theme.
South Africa has commissioned the first ever G20 analysis of inequality to advise leaders. The “G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality”, led by Professor Joseph Stiglitz, identifies an “inequality emergency”.
Read op-ed in Financial Times by Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. In the op-ed, they support the creation of an International Panel on Inequality.