More than 1,500 academics and economists spanning over 100 countries are calling on world leaders to support a new International Panel on Inequality (IPI), describing the widening wealth gap as a reversible policy decision rather than an inevitable outcome. The experts have signed an open letter endorsing the initiative ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the proposal is gaining momentum among governments and international bodies.
The signatories represent a cross-section of economic thought and include former US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen, Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu, Thomas Piketty, Mariana Mazzucato and Jayati Ghosh. In their letter, they argue that
extreme concentrations of income and wealth translate into undemocratic concentrations of power, unravelling trust in our societies and polarising our politics.
The initiative has been developed with backing from Spain, South Africa, Brazil and Norway, and is championed by UN secretary general António Guterres. It will be chaired by Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who envisions it becoming
the world's leading authority on the issue. The panel is designed to function similarly to the International Panel on Climate Change, producing authoritative assessments and policy recommendations on inequality at global and national levels.
What would the panel do?
The proposed body would work towards establishing a
shared scientific consensuson the nature and scale of international inequality while identifying potential policy solutions. It would bring together leading experts, partner governments and multilateral institutions to produce regular reports and elevate inequality as a priority on the global agenda. According to UN webcast materials from the side event held on 8 September 2026, the panel would monitor inequality trends, analyse their drivers and consequences, and assess how different policy responses perform across countries.
Why is this needed now?
Stiglitz highlighted the urgency of the challenge, stating that
the gap between the richest and the poorest in most countries is large and growing. The interrelated impacts of the inequality crisis are affecting the lives of many, with significant political, economic, social and environmental consequences playing out across the globe.
Experts are concerned about both the divide between wealthy and poor nations and inequalities within individual economies. Jayati Ghosh, a professor of economics at University of Massachusetts Amherst, pointed to India as a case study:
India's experience tells us everything we need to know about why an International Panel on Inequality is needed. One of the world's fastest-growing economies is also one of its most unequal and its extraordinary wealth sits alongside profound deprivation. The World Bank has warned that absent significant change, the 2020s would represent a
lost decadefor many developing countries, which—aside from India and China—have failed to narrow their gap with industrialised nations.
Who supports the initiative?
Support extends beyond the academic signatories. Former global leaders including Germany's Olaf Scholz, Ireland's Leo Varadkar and New Zealand's Helen Clark have publicly backed the IPI in a separate statement. The proposal was highlighted in BRICS' New Delhi Declaration on 12 September 2026, where member nations took note of South Africa and Brazil's proposal to establish the panel. Additionally, a Nature commentary published on 15 September 2026 reported that the proposal has backing from the UN and the African Union, along with more than 700 economists and other scholars.
Major social work and social development bodies, including the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) and International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), have also publicly welcomed the proposal in September 2026.
In the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly next week, marking one of his most significant appearances on the global stage since taking office in July. Foreign secretary Ed Miliband has indicated willingness to collaborate with other nations on shared international challenges, though the reluctance of Donald Trump's US administration to participate in such multilateral initiatives remains a complicating factor.
What happens next?
A High-Level Leaders' Event in New York is scheduled for 23 September 2026 during the UN General Assembly High-Level Meetings to build further support for the IPI. The founding committee, which has been working on the initiative since at least March 2026, continues to seek additional member-state backing to strengthen the proposal's standing when it is formally considered by the assembly.
Key Facts
- Over 1,500 academics and economists from 100+ countries have signed the open letter supporting the International Panel on Inequality
- The panel will be chaired by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz and is modelled on the International Panel on Climate Change
- Four founding governments—Spain, South Africa, Brazil and Norway—are leading the initiative with UN secretary general support
- The proposal has gained backing from the African Union, BRICS nations and major international social development organisations
- A High-Level Leaders' Event is scheduled for 23 September 2026 to advance support during the UN General Assembly
