On Tuesday, Nov. 22, serving British legislators heard a speech from the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
In a speech to the British parliament, he called on wealthy nations to provide funding for climate action in developing nations.
According to Ramaphosa, “the more industrialized nations of the globe have a responsibility to provide large money to low- and middle-income countries to fund their climate initiatives.”
“This should not be seen as charity”, he insisted. “It is compensation for the harm done and the harm yet to be done to people in developing economies as a consequence of the industrialization that wealthy countries have had over many years.”
The audience, which included serving MPs and Lords members from the upper chamber, gave Ramaphosa a standing ovation. His remarks were made a few days after the conclusion of the COP 27 UN climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh.
“We are pleased that the final outcomes of COP-27 hold out the promise of concerted action to address climate change. It was Nelson Mandela who espoused the vision of a global community of nations that strives by all means available to improve the human condition”, Ramaphosa said.
The leader of the most developed country in Africa urged the UK to advocate for more “inclusive and representative international entities,” such as the UN Security Council and international financial institutions.
He met William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and was welcomed earlier by King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort.
The ceremony was also attended by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
The visit was planned before Queen Elizabeth II passed away.
The latest state visit by a South African leader took place in 1996, two years after Nelson Mandela became the country’s first Black president.
