Ramaphosa urges climate action, warns against weaponised trade

CLIMATE change, the debt crisis facing developing countries and the need for global equity were among the issues that President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about when he addressed the General Debate at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

- MERCURY CORRESPONDENT

He said South Africa's presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) marks the first time that the forum will convene a summit on the African continent - "the cradle of humanity" - with a focus on disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income countries, energy-transition financing and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

He warned that climate change continues to severely impact countries in the Global South. "Although Africa carries the least responsibility for climate change, many countries on the continent experience much of its harshest effects," he said.

"Extreme weather events, like floods and droughts, are driving food insecurity, displacing populations, damaging infrastructure and destroying livelihoods."

He also raised the debt crisis facing many developing countries. "Many countries with developing economies, especially in Africa and the Global South, do not have adequate capital to finance their development goals," he said.