Pretoria – UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that Africa, defined by its youthful and growing populace, extensive cultural and natural diversity, and incredible entrepreneurial vigor, faces challenges due to injustices that stem from a long-standing colonial legacy.
The UN Secretary-General conveyed these insights in Pretoria on Wednesday, (11 December 2024).
Returning to South Africa, Guterres expressed gratitude to President Ramaphosa and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola for their warm reception.
In his meeting with Minister Lamola, Guterres had the chance to align viewpoints and further dialogue on G20 presidency priorities, advancing the pact for the future, and boosting efforts toward sustainable development and climate commitments.
“Africa is a continent filled with a youthful and growing demographic, rich in cultural and natural diversity, coupled with an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit,” Guterres commented.
“Nevertheless, this tremendous potential is persistently suppressed by injustices originating from colonial history.”
“The inequities in the global financial system impose heavy debt burdens on nations, restricting their access to affordable financing necessary to combat poverty, inequality, and hunger, and to advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Alongside tackling enduring injustices related to colonialism, Guterres voiced his concerns to reporters regarding the turmoil in the Middle East.
“Currently, we observe a transformative period in the Middle East, characterized by shifts in power dynamics among key regional players, and the deep tragedy experienced by the Palestinian people, whose right to self-determination and statehood must be consistently affirmed,” stated Guterres.
“Yet we also see glimmers of hope, particularly regarding the decline of the Syrian dictatorship.”
The Secretary-General confirmed that the UN is “fully committed” to aiding a seamless power transition, facilitating an inclusive political process where the rights of all minorities are honored, and laying the groundwork for a unified and sovereign Syria with restored territorial integrity.
“My Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, is engaging with all relevant stakeholders to help achieve these aims,” Guterres stated.
“I have complete faith in the Syrian populace to chart their own future.”
He conveyed his presence in South Africa as a commitment to solidarity and justice.
“I arrive at a critical juncture as South Africa assumes the G20 presidency.”
Referring to Africa, Guterres highlighted the continent’s undeniable potential.
He pointed out that injustices tied to escalating climate chaos – of which Africans have contributed minimally – are inducing floods, storms, hunger, and devastating droughts across the region.
“I stand in solidarity with President Ramaphosa and the people of Africa in this pursuit for justice on all levels,” asserted Guterres.
“Africa deserves financial justice.”
Earlier this September, global leaders supported the Pact for the Future.
This Pact encompasses commitments aimed at significant reforms to ensure the international financial system better reflects the current global economy and prioritizes the needs of developing countries.
It advocates for initiatives to propel an SDG Stimulus.
Essentially, it seeks to enhance the capacity of Multilateral Development Banks to increase their scale and ambition to effectively support developing nations.
Additionally, it aims to mobilize more international and domestic resources, both public and private, for vital investments.
“Last week, I established a group of leading experts to rally international support for addressing debt, and I’m pleased to announce that Trevor Manuel will contribute to this significant effort,” the Secretary-General noted.
He emphasized that Africa, at the forefront of the climate crisis, demands “climate justice.”
Despite its minimal contributions to emissions, climate change severely impacts the continent’s people and economies.
Africa is warming at a pace surpassing the global average.
“We must aim to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent this crisis from escalating further,” asserted Guterres.
“By next year, nations need to submit new, economy-wide national climate action plans – referred to as NDCs – that align with the 1.5-degree target.”
“As the largest emitters, the G20 has a responsibility to lead.”
These new plans should encompass all emissions across the entire economy, accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, and support the energy transition goals set at COP28.
Guterres stated that developed countries must also assist emerging economies in acquiring technological capabilities and expertise to significantly reduce fossil fuel use and hasten the renewable energy transition in a fair and rapid manner.
This entails developing innovative models of international cooperation, such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which South Africa pioneered and has since been replicated in several Asian nations.
Guterres further explained that this also involves developed nations fulfilling their financial commitments by agreeing to double adaptation financing and make substantial contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund.
“There’s a story that isn’t widely known,” he remarked.
“When the Loss and Damage Fund was created, the initial pledges were equivalent to the total annual salaries of the ten highest-paid football players in the world.”
“This underscores the necessity for discussions surrounding the Loss and Damage Fund to tackle serious issues.”
“This instance illustrates that much work lies ahead to ensure that the Loss and Damage Fund effectively supports developing nations.”
The Secretary-General articulated that the world must aid Africa in constructing green economies founded on renewable energy.
“It is absurd that Africa possesses 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources while attracting only two percent of global investments in solar energy,” Guterres stated emphatically.
“We must amend this.”
“We also need to ensure that Africa’s vital mineral resources, which can catalyze the global renewable revolution, predominantly benefit Africans.”
“We must avoid repeating the errors of the past.”
The UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, co-chaired by South Africa, has delineated a set of principles and recommendations focused on empowering communities, ensuring accountability, and ensuring clean energy fosters equitable and resilient growth that maximizes benefits for producing nations rather than merely exporting low-value raw materials.
The Secretary-General stressed that Africa also needs technological justice.
“Africa cannot be sidelined in the tech revolution nor silenced as the world constructs frameworks to harness technology’s benefits and mitigate its risks,” he stated, highlighting, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves as a prime example.”
The Global Digital Compact, adopted in September, presents the first universal framework for AI governance, bringing all countries into the conversation.
It advocates for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and the initiation of a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations.
It also promotes innovative voluntary financing options to build AI capacity in developing nations to ensure they are not left behind.
Ultimately, Africa needs the justice that only peace can provide.
Guterres asserted that the United Nations will continue its efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts affecting the continent in close coordination with African regional organizations.
“This includes addressing the ongoing crisis in Sudan,” he noted.
“We require all involved parties to cease hostilities and commit to a path of sustainable peace and accountability for the Sudanese people.”
“We will also strengthen our partnership to advance human rights and combat terrorism and violent extremism.”
He characterized the UN Security Council’s recent resolution to support African-led peace operations as a positive stride toward fortifying “our collaboration.”
Guterres added: “We must heed the call within the Pact for the Future to explore expanding representation on the UN Security Council — an evident instance of injustice within the global peace and security framework.”
“Africa continues to lack a single permanent member on the Security Council, which is entirely unacceptable.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we near the conclusion of this year, I deliver a straightforward message:
2025 must be a year of justice for Africa.
“I am enthusiastic about collaborating with the G20 Presidency of South Africa to secure justice for the people of this magnificent continent,” concluded Guterres.
“At the same time, we will support all of South Africa’s initiatives in the realms of mediation and justice, both within Africa and across other parts of the world.”
