‘Climate change is an existential threat’

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing the UN General Assembly (UNGA) says climate change affects the most underdeveloped nations.

He says UN member states must honour their commitments in the fight against climate change.

This after US President Donald Trump told the Assembly that climate change programmes are a “con job”.

President Ramaphosa says the world is building weapons rather than building social infrastructure that advance the lives of people.

“Climate change is an existential threat. We are failing future generations by our inability to reduce global warming. Climate change is reversing economic growth and development gains in many countries especially in the global south, although Africa carries the least responsibility for climate change, many countries on the continent of Africa experience much of its harshest effects.”

President Ramaphosa also expressed concern on the security and humanitarian situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, Gaza and other parts of the world.

He said there are other countries that continue to violate international law and defy UN resolutions, and rulings from bodies like the International Court of Justice.

President Ramaphosa added that the establishment of the Hague Group and the Madrid Group aim to reaffirm the primacy of international law, promoting accountability and ensuring support for a just peace.

He has also welcomed a decision by countries which recognise Palestine as a state.

“Consistent with the case that South Africa brought before the International Court of Justice, there is growing global consensus that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Just last week, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry found that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza. As Palestinians continue to face genocide and famine, we have a duty to act. South Africa has acted.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the UN General Assembly (UNGA)