Rio de janeiro: Angolan President and Chairperson of the African Union, Joo Louren§o, on Monday emphasized the necessity for tangible commitments and adequate financing to tackle the climate crisis and enhance global health, particularly in developing countries.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the remarks were delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, T©te Ant³nio, on behalf of the Angolan Head of State during a session focused on the Environment, COP30, and Global Health. Joo Louren§o expressed support for the upcoming United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), to be held in Brazil, pointing out its symbolic significance occurring a decade after the Paris Agreement and 33 years after the historic Eco92, also in Brazil.
Louren§o highlighted COP30 as a critical event for implementing decisions on climate, advocating for strengthened global political will to fulfill obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. He noted the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, warning that inadequate climate finance could exacerbate the crisis's disproportionate impacts in Africa, affecting the world negatively.
The President underscored the struggle of many African countries to implement their National Adaptation Plans due to limited financial resources, despite the continent being responsible for only 4% of greenhouse gas emissions. Louren§o called for consensus at COP30 on crucial themes such as climate finance, adaptation, reparation of loss and damage, just energy transition, and combating deforestation, while praising Brazil's choice as the host for COP30 for its strategic role in global climate regulation.
In terms of health, Louren§o warned of the link between climate change and increased epidemiological outbreaks, especially in Africa, urging coordinated transnational actions, citing the positive global cooperation example during the COVID-19 pandemic. He supported Brazil's BRICS initiative to create the International Alliance for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases, emphasizing the urgent need for such initiatives.
The President also praised BRICS initiatives like the Vaccine Research and Development Platform, the Tuberculosis Research Network expansion, and the use of artificial intelligence in public health, viewing them as strategic tools for enhancing international health cooperation.
In the concluding part of his speech, Louren§o reaffirmed Angola and African countries' commitment to the African Union Agenda 2063, focusing on climate resilience and a just energy transition, urging collective efforts for lasting outcomes for future generations.
The XVII BRICS Summit concluded in Rio de Janeiro, under Brazil's rotating presidency, focusing on sustainability, global justice, and South-South cooperation. The summit united Heads of State and Government from BRICS and partner countries, including President Louren§o, who made his inaugural speech on Sunday, 6.
The 17th BRICS Summit, themed "BRICS for sustainable growth and reformed global governance," gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly joined members. Since its inception in 2009, BRICS has expanded to include 11 members, with countries like Cuba, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Bolivia attending as observers or invited partners.
BRICS aims to bolster cooperation among Global South countries, advocate for reforms in multilateral institutions, promote sustainable socio-economic development, and enhance emerging countries' representation in forums such as the UN, IMF, and World Bank. The Rio de Janeiro meeting addressed global health, focusing on poverty and inequality-related diseases, climate change, and a joint climate finance plan for developing nations.
The summit also discussed the Governance of Artificial Intelligence, promoting ethical technology use to reduce inequalities, and considered reforming international peace, security, and institutional development architecture of the New Development Bank (NDB). Additionally, the Brazilian presidency proposed renewing a five-year Strategic Economic Partnership focusing on Global South industrialization.
