A new report by the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, will be launched on 3 November in Johannesburg - and worldwide online - showing the danger of inequalities that are prolonging current pandemics, such HIV and tuberculosis, and making the world more vulnerable to future pandemics.

The Council is co-chaired by Nobel prize-winning economist Joe Stiglitz, former First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos, and Director of the Institute of Health Equity Sir Michael Marmot. It has brought together economists, public health experts and current and former government leaders from around the world.

The launch on 3 November will come ahead of the G20 meetings in South Africa, including the G20 health ministers’ meeting on 6-7 November. The report will also be presented to President Ramaphosa. This year’s G20, chaired by South Africa, has focused its attention on the challenge of inequality.

The report, Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle – building true health security in a global age, will set out what world leaders need to do to better prepare for future pandemics by reducing inequalities, including addressing the global debt crisis, enabling local research, development and production of new medicines, expanding social protection and supporting communities.

The global event, moderated by Nozipho Mbanjwa-Tshabalala, will be live-streamed by the Mail&Guardian around the world, and will include speakers joining from London, Rio, Madrid, Windhoek, and Kampala, and a studio audience in Johannesburg. It will be immediately followed by a press conference.

WHAT: Launch of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics report, Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle – building true health security in a global age. Launch event with interviews of co-chairs and experts from across the world, followed by a press conference and reception.

WHEN: Monday, 3 November 2025, 15:00 South Africa Standard Time

WHERE: Johannesburg, South Africa - and worldwide online

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
• Michael Marmot, Institute of Health Equity at University College London
• Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel prize-winning economist
• Monica Geingos, former First Lady of Namibia
• Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, South Africa
• Nísia Trindade, Former Minister of Health, Brazil
• Javier Padilla Bernáldez, Secretary of State for Health, Spain
• Joe Phaahla, Deputy Minister of Health, South Africa
• Richard Lusimbo, Director General of the Key Populations Consortium, Uganda
• Nomonde Ngema, HIV youth activist, South Africa

For media attendance at the launch event and press conference in person or online, and for interviews and access to the embargoed report, please contact:

Robert Shivambu in Johannesburg | tel. +27 83 608 1498 | shivambuh@unaids.org

or Oliver Aplin in London | tel. +44 785 155 2441 | oca10@georgetown.edu

About the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics

The Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics is a high-level initiative convened by UNAIDS to confront how inequalities drive pandemics—and how pandemics, in turn, deepen inequality. Announced in June 2023, the Council is co-chaired by Namibia’s former First Lady Monica Geingos, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity Professor Sir Michael Marmot, and Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz. It brings together leaders across economics, public health, human rights and finance to build a policy environment in which inequalities can be addressed so the world can end AIDS and better prepare for and respond to future pandemics.