South Africa’s G20 summit faced disappointment as it concluded without a consensus, hindered by the absence of key officials from various countries. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the urgent need for cooperation on global economic and climate issues. The Clean Air Fund’s Vumile Senene highlighted concerns over air quality and health impacts, urging continued focus on climate initiatives amidst geopolitical challenges.
South Africa expressed disappointment as the G20 meeting it hosted concluded without a consensus on global economic issues, largely due to the absence of key officials from various countries. The two-day conference in Cape Town failed to produce a joint communiqué, although a “chair’s summary” reaffirmed commitments to countering protectionism and supporting a fair multilateral trading system, despite certain U.S. objections to the language used.
The gathering in Cape Town was marred by the absence of significant finance ministers, including those from the United States, China, India, and Japan, coupled with the ongoing reduction of foreign aid by major economies amid increasing geopolitical tensions. Finance ministers and central bank officials pushed forward at the meeting following U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s refusal to attend a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting based on perceived anti-American sentiments.
During the proceedings, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa urged delegates to continue fostering global cooperation despite the U.S. representatives’ absence. He emphasized that the decline of multilateralism poses risks to global growth and stability, highlighting the importance of a rules-based order for resolving disputes during these geopolitically tumultuous times.
This year, under South Africa’s G20 presidency, climate finance for transitioning developing countries to low-carbon economies is a priority. Ramaphosa acknowledged the challenges posed by the U.S. significantly cutting its support for climate initiatives and expressed concerns regarding the potential stagnation of climate action momentum due to pressing other issues.
Vumile Senene, the country lead for the Clean Air Fund, highlighted the risks of declining attention towards climate change, emphasizing the necessity for awareness regarding air pollution and its health impacts. He maintained that the G20 summit must address these critical topics, encouraging policymakers to consider the importance of public health alongside environmental sustainability.
Looking ahead, South Africa aims to persuade G20 members to set ambitious climate targets for the upcoming UN climate negotiations in Brazil. President Ramaphosa called for increased funding to facilitate energy transitions in developing nations, advocating for measures to mitigate the consequences of climate change on vulnerable countries and promoting the development of carbon markets.
In summary, South Africa’s recent G20 summit in Cape Town ended without consensus due to the absence of key officials and significant geopolitical tensions. President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of cooperation and multilateralism amid these challenges while focusing on the urgent need for climate finance for developing nations. The Clean Air Fund’s Vumile Senene echoed the need for heightened awareness regarding air pollution and health impacts, framing these topics as essential in forthcoming discussions. South Africa’s presidency aims to maintain momentum for climate action leading into future negotiations.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
