Global inequality remains one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century, commanding sustained attention from both academic research and international policy debates. Far from being a mere distributive issue, it reflects deep structural dynamics rooted in historical legacies, political choices, and institutional architectures that have concentrated wealth in the hands of a few. This chapter offers a critical analysis of these trajectories while focusing on the responses advanced by the United Nations. It examines the proposals articulated through the World Social Reports, as well as more specific initiatives on wealth taxation, labour rights, and social protection. By highlighting both the advances and limitations of current multilateral approaches, the chapter questions the capacity of the United Nations to translate its normative agenda into effective action. In conclusion, it underscores the urgency of renewing frameworks and narratives for global governance, with a reinvigorated role for the United Nations at their centre.