DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged global leaders to prioritize multilateralism in addressing climate change, emphasizing the detrimental effects of unilateral actions on developing economies.
Addressing the high-level segment for Heads of State and Government at the ongoing United Nations climate-focused Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of access to finance, skills transfer, and technology as crucial tools for developing countries to build climate resilience.
“African countries are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of a rapidly changing climate and must adapt and build resilience within the context of historically low levels of development and severely limited capacity,” he stated.
President Ramaphosa advocated for innovative financing mechanisms, such as special drawing rights, to ensure that funding does not exacerbate the debt burden of already struggling nations. He further emphasized the need for new, predictable, and scalable public finance to support developing countries in building climate resilience and underscored climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies as global public goods.
Addressing the G77 and China Leaders’ Summit #COP28 https://t.co/8RS3xErlSF
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 2, 2023Recognizing the right of each country to determine its own developmental path, President Ramaphosa called for international support to create the necessary space for countries to achieve their aspirations.
Applauding the landmark decision at COP28 to operationalize the new fund on Loss and Damage, President Ramaphosa welcomed the pledges made but stressed the need for far greater funding mobilization to effectively support the most vulnerable nations.
He also advocated for the launch of a work program on national and international just transitions that encompasses all societal sectors and economic areas.
President Ramaphosa reiterated the importance of basing COP28 decisions on science, equity, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
Spoke to members of the media on the margins of #COP28 pic.twitter.com/Hkc9yMRoUM
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 2, 2023Highlighting climate action as a cornerstone of South Africa’s sustainable development agenda, President Ramaphosa announced the recent approval of the implementation plan for the country’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan.
The plan focuses on critical areas for a just transition, including investments in electricity infrastructure, new energy vehicles, green hydrogen, skills development, municipal electricity distribution, and interventions tailored to communities most affected by the energy transition.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged the success of South Africa’s renewable energy power producers program in supporting decarbonization efforts and highlighted promising developments in green hydrogen potential and critical mineral and rare earth beneficiation to support development and drive the green transition.