UN chief calls for urgent G20 action on global inequalities

UNITED Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that conflicts, climate chaos, economic uncertainty, mounting debt, inequality and a collapse in global aid were inflicting massive suffering around the world.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

UNITED Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaking ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg yesterday. I ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Newspapers

(ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Newspapers)

Speaking ahead this weekend's two-day G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, Guterres said among the world's largest economies, the G20 can hold enormous influence to ease suffering and ensure that economic growth is widely shared as well as set the world on a better, more peaceful course for the future.

"Developing countries in particular in Africa are suffering from a perfect storm of shrinking fiscal space, crushing debt burden, and a global financial architecture that is failing to support or even represent - them adequately," Guterres stated.