During a visit to Lesotho, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on rich nations to fulfill commitments to provide at least $300 billion annually for climate finance to assist vulnerable countries. He emphasized the urgency of operationalizing the new Loss and Damage Fund and addressed the challenges posed by severe drought conditions affecting millions in Southern Africa. Guterres also advocated for increased African representation in global decision-making bodies, particularly the U.N. Security Council.
On Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed Lesotho’s Parliament, urging affluent nations to fulfill their financial commitments to assist developing countries combat climate change. Guterres articulated the urgent need for financial support, especially for vulnerable nations like Lesotho, which face dire environmental challenges despite contributing minimally to global warming. During his two-day visit to Lesotho, part of a broader trip across southern Africa, Guterres is set to tour the Katse Dam, a critical element in the nation’s efforts to capitalize on its water resources.
He reiterated the agreement reached at recent U.N. climate talks, which pledged at least $300 billion annually for developing countries. However, this amount fails to meet the more than $1 trillion requested by these nations, raising concerns regarding equitable financial support. Guterres emphasized the responsibility of developed nations to make good on their promises, indicating that the planned Loss and Damage Fund must be swiftly established and adequately funded, particularly by those contributing most to climate degradation.
Southern Africa currently grapples with severe drought conditions, affecting over 27 million individuals and prompting numerous countries, including Lesotho, to declare national disasters due to its impact on agriculture. While the drought has been linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon, recent adverse weather events, such as cholera outbreaks and flooding, are increasingly being attributed to climate change. The World Meteorological Organization notes that African countries are experiencing a significant economic toll from climate change, with losses up to 5% of their GDP annually.
In his remarks, Guterres expressed the hope that Africa would gain permanent representation on the U.N. Security Council, focusing on the continent’s systemic exclusion from global decision-making. He remarked, “When a continent that is home to nearly a fifth of humanity remains systematically excluded from global decision-making, we must call this what it is, a relic of colonialism that has no place in today’s world.” On Friday, Guterres is set to visit the Katse Dam, pivotal in managing Lesotho’s water resources for both domestic needs and for export to neighboring South Africa.
The discussion surrounding climate finance has become increasingly urgent in recent global dialogues, as poorer nations, particularly in Africa, face significant environmental impacts from climate change despite their minimal contributions to carbon emissions. Agreements made during international climate negotiations emphasize the need for wealthy countries to provide robust financial assistance to developing regions, which are often ill-equipped to manage the consequences of climate instability. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of African nations in major global institutions like the U.N. Security Council points to longstanding injustices in global governance that impacts policy formulation regarding international challenges, including climate change.
In summary, Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored the necessity for wealthier nations to uphold their climate finance commitments, particularly to vulnerable countries like Lesotho grappling with severe climate-induced challenges. His visit highlights the pressing need for financial assistance to address the detrimental effects of climate change in Africa. Additionally, Guterres’s calls for greater representation of African nations in global governance reflect a broader demand for equity and inclusion in the face of ongoing climate crises.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
