South Africa is committed to putting Africa’s needs at the top of its agenda during its G20 presidency, with a focus on tackling climate change to foster global economic growth and sustainable development.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday to mark his assumption of the one-year role, President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that the climate crisis was worsening. “We are all seeking to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and preserve our planet for future generations. The G20 provides a platform for us to pursue these collective goals.”
The World Meteorological Organization has said that Africa is bearing an increasing burden from climate change and the disproportionate costs of essential adaptation.
On average, African countries lose between 2% and 5% of their GDP and many spend up to 9% of their budgets on responding to climate extremes.
By 2030, an estimated 118 million extremely poor people living on less than $1.90 (R34.35) a day will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa, if adequate response measures are not put in place.
“The increasing rate of climate-induced natural disasters is affecting countries around the world, with a devastating impact on those who cannot afford the costs of recovery and reconstruction,” Ramaphosa said.
“We will take this issue to the leadership level, calling on the international community, including international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to step up post-disaster reconstruction.”
To reinforce the continent’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, Ramaphosa said the G20 under South Africa’s presidency would mobilise finance for a just energy transition, given that G20 members together account for about 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade.
“We will seek agreement on increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing countries,” he said.
“This would include strengthening multilateral development banks, enhancing and streamlining support for national platforms such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership and making more effective use of private capital.”
At this year’s G20 summit in Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged leaders of major economies to accelerate their national climate targets, calling on them to reach net-zero carbon emissions five to ten years ahead of schedule.
“There is no time to lose,” Da Silva said, noting that 2024 could be the hottest year on record, with floods and droughts becoming more frequent and intense.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s G20 presidency would also focus on key challenges facing Africa, such as high debt levels and financing the just energy transition, and advocated for the strategic use of critical minerals.
“We must act to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries,” he said.
“A key obstacle to inclusive growth in developing economies, including many in Africa, is unsustainable levels of debt that limit their ability to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education and other development needs.”
The president said it was an opportunity to place the needs of Africa and the rest of the global South more firmly on the international development agenda.