Global Scans · Reduced Inequalities · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

• [New] The biggest challenges facing humanity in 2050 include climate change, resource scarcity, inequality, geopolitical instability, and the ethical implications of technological advancements. The Environmental Literacy Council
• [New] While eradicating poverty entirely by 2050 is a highly ambitious goal, significant progress can be made through targeted interventions, economic development, and addressing systemic inequalities. The Environmental Literacy Council
• [New] Trade and Development agency warned in an April report that AI could affect 40% of jobs worldwide and widen inequality between nations. CNBC
• Food trade restrictions pose a serious risk for countries that are heavily reliant on food imports, potentially leading to food crises, inequality, and geopolitical conflicts on a global scale. Springer Science and Business Media LLC
• Women in rural areas in South Africa are faced inequalities, such as limited access to quality education, basic social amenities, and job opportunities. BioMed Central
• A premature shift without affordable renewable substitutes could entrench energy poverty and widen global inequalities. Modern Ghana
• The recent dismantling of USAID by the Trump administration will likely widen global health inequities, accelerate conflicts in precarious settings, and threaten the stability of state-to-state relationships, especially across the Global South. SpringerLink
• Artificial intelligence has immense potential to address global issues such as climate change, public health crises, and economic inequality - but only if it is designed and implemented with equity in mind. Integration and Implementation Insights
• Without urgent action to equip youth, women, and workers with green skills, Pakistan risks widening inequalities and missing the economic dividends of a low-carbon future. https://www.dailyindependent.com.pk
• The next government will be tasked with navigating economic recovery, addressing social inequality, and defining Australia's climate and foreign policy in a rapidly changing global landscape. thebrainsjournal.com
• As stressed by the World Bank Group, without urgent policy action, rising poverty and inequality will continue to threaten global stability, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Patricio V. Marquez
• Just as DEI initiatives in the US aim to address systemic inequalities, Nigeria's principle of federal character, zoning, and quota system are to prevent dominance by any single group and ensure equitable participation in governance and economic opportunities. TheCable
• The world is entering a new era of crisis for children; climate change, inequality and conflict are disrupting their lives and limiting their futures, an authoritative study from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned. The United Nations Office at Geneva
• The digital revolution poses an opportunity to level the playing field, but it is clear that without equitable access, the digital revolution risks entrenching or even exacerbating already existing global inequalities. Newsweek
• Gender-responsive budgeting has the potential to be a transformative tool in tackling inequality in South Africa by ensuring that public resources are allocated in ways that actively reduce gender disparities and promote social and economic equity. Youth Capital
• The current approach by the National Treasury fails to adequately prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable and risks exacerbating existing inequalities, potentially worsening the multi-dimensional nature of the issues that South Africa seeks to address. Institute For Economic Justice
• Africa has the opportunity to leverage its natural resources to create prosperity, reduce inequality, and enhance their negotiating power on the global stage. MiningFocus Africa
• Lithium mining poses significant environmental risks, including air & water pollution, ecosystem disruption, high carbon emissions & the sacrifice of land & livelihoods for lithium extraction, deepening global inequalities. Mashable ME
• By 2025, expect films that not only entertain but also serve as platforms for change and awareness, raising issues related to climate change, inequality, and mental health. MEFMobile
• Greater Focus on Social Impact: Businesses will be expected to be more significant in addressing global challenges, including climate change and social inequality. Newstrail
• The ongoing digital transformation could further reshape the global economic landscape, potentially creating new opportunities for innovation and growth but also exacerbating existing inequalities. 2025 Aksi -
• The US economy continues to outperform other developed markets, but income inequality, high borrowing costs, and commercial real estate risks pose challenges to sustained stability. China Briefing News

Last updated: 12 May 2025