UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently visited South Africa during his G20 presidency, highlighting the importance of climate justice. The visit is of great significance as Africa, with its young and growing population, vibrant cultural and natural diversity, and strong entrepreneurial spirit, grapples with the injustices of its colonial past.
In his remarks, Guterres highlighted the immense potential of the African continent: “I am here at this crucial moment as South Africa assumes the presidency of the G20. The potential of this continent is undeniable… Africa needs climate justice. The continent is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Despite its low emissions, climate change is hitting people hard and affecting economies hard. Africa is warming faster than the global average. We must limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent this crisis from spiraling out of control.”
The Secretary-General also addressed recent upheavals in the Middle East, including the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while remaining hopeful about the future. His concerns about the chaos in the region reflect his comprehensive vision for maintaining global peace and security.
António Guterres’ visit to South Africa highlighted the critical challenges of climate justice and global stability. By calling for concerted climate action and highlighting the major challenges facing Africa, the Secretary-General called on the international community to strengthen cooperation to build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.