Ramaphosa called on the G20 countries to respond to climate change collectively, decisively and urgently, when speaking at Working Session I: G20 One Earth Leaders’ Summit.

The president noted that developing economies are the most affected by climate change, despite being the least responsible for this crisis.

“It is vital that industrialized countries, which bear the biggest responsibility for climate change and have the means to crack it down, and support sustainable development in the developing economies,” the head of State underscored.

“For us to make the vision of People, Planet and Prosperity real, we must fulfill our respective commitments and responsibilities. By doing so, we will be helping to create a more equitable, resilient and sustainable world,” Ramaphosa noted.

The president added, “Climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable consumption and production, and resource scarcity are challenges that can only be addressed collectively and with great solidarity.”

Ramaphosa assured that South Africa is calling for an enhanced and expanded Global Partnership for Sustainable Development to achieve so. “These efforts must be backed by concrete policies and actions outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development,” the president highlighted.

The South African leader noted how “ordinary people see billions of dollars being spent on war weapons instead of addressing development challenges.”

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