WATCH: We are not beggars” – Ramaphosa tells Paris Summit

Staff report

Bloemfontein – The president of the Republic of South Africa, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa took on the West in what Africans in general applauded him for standing for the continent in the Paris Summit.

Addressing the New Global Financial Pact Summit in France, on the 22 – 23 June 2023, Ramaphosa told Emmanuel Macron, in his face that African severity must be respected.

He expressed skepticism about the new commitments as developed countries have so far failed to deliver on their pledges to allocate US$100 billion a year to finance climate-related actions in developing countries.

He also noted that the aspirations of the countries of the South “will not materialize” as long as global governance regimes and institutions remain the same.

He touched on the importance of peace, investment, and equitable partnerships in addressing global challenges during a finance summit attended by world leaders in Paris.

Ramaphosa also underscored the challenges faced by African nations in accessing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocating for open access to markets, Ramaphosa said that “Africa should never be seen as a continent that needs generosity, we want to be treated as equals.”

At the summit, wealthy nations finalized an overdue $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries and created a fund for biodiversity and the protection of forests.

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