SOUTH AFRICA / GUTERRES PRESSER

Speaking to reporters in Pretoria, Secretary-General António Guterres said that he is currently on a mission of solidarity and a mission for justice, reiterating that Africa needs financial justice, climate justice and technological justice. UNIC PRETORIA

• Video Length: 00:02:29
• Production Date: 11 December 2024
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: ANTONIO GUTERRES
• Subject Topical: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; CLIMATE CHANGE; TECHNOLOGY
• Geographic Subject: SOUTH AFRICA
• MAMS Id: 3322018
• Parent Id: 3322018
• Alternate Title: unifeed241211d

Description

STORY: SOUTH AFRICA / GUTERRES PRESSER
TRT: 2:29
SOURCE: UNIC PRETORIA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 11 DECEMBER 2024, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Guterres with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Ronald Lamola
2. Wide shot, press encounter
3. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“I am here in South Africa on a mission of solidarity — and a mission for justice. And I am here at a critical time as South Africa assumes the presidency of the G20. This continent’s potential is without question. Africa is home to a young and growing population, rich cultural and natural diversity, and a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit.”
4. Various shots, press encounter
5. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Throughout, the world must help Africa build green economies anchored in renewable energy. It is an absurdity that Africa is home to 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources — but only two per cent of global investments in solar power. We must change this. And we must ensure that Africa’s critical mineral resources -- that can power the renewables revolution worldwide -- benefit Africans first and most. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.”
6. Wide shot, press encounter
7. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Africa cannot be left behind in the technological revolution or be denied a voice as the world develops guardrails to harness the benefits of this technology, and minimize the risks. Artificial Intelligence is a perfect example. The Global Digital Compact adopted in September includes the first universal agreement on AI governance that brings every country to the table. It calls for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations. And it requests options for innovative voluntary financing for AI capacity-building in developing countries for them not to be left behind.”
8. Wide shot, press encounter
9. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“We need all parties silencing the guns and committing to a path towards sustainable peace and accountability for the Sudanese people. We will also strengthen our collaboration to advance human rights and counter terrorism as well as violent extremism.”
10. Wide shot, press encounter

Storyline

Speaking to reporters in Pretoria today (11 Dec), Secretary-General António Guterres said that he is currently on a mission of solidarity and a mission for justice, reiterating that Africa needs financial justice, climate justice and technological justice.

The Secretary-General visited South Africa as it comes at a critical time as the country assumes the presidency of the G20 for the upcoming year.

The Secretary-General also held discussions with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Ronald Lamola. And in a joint press encounter afterward, the Secretary-General said that he is currently on a mission of solidarity and a mission for justice. Africa has enormous potential, he said, but the continent continues to be held back by injustices that are deeply rooted in the history of colonialism.

On climate justice, Guterres said, “Throughout, the world must help Africa build green economies anchored in renewable energy, adding that “it is an absurdity that Africa is home to 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources — but only two per cent of global investments in solar power.”

He said, “We must change this. And we must ensure that Africa’s critical mineral resources -- that can power the renewables revolution worldwide -- benefit Africans first and most.”

“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” the Secretary-General said.

On technological justice, Guterre said that the continent “cannot be left behind in the technological revolution or be denied a voice as the world develops guardrails to harness the benefits of this technology, and minimize the risks.”

“Artificial Intelligence is a perfect example,” the UN chief said, adding that the Global Digital Compact adopted in September includes the first universal agreement on AI governance that brings every country to the table.

“It calls for an independent international Scientific Panel on AI and initiating a global dialogue on its governance within the United Nations. And it requests options for innovative voluntary financing for AI capacity-building in developing countries for them not to be left behind,” Guterres added.

The UN chief also highlighted Africa needs the justice that only peace can bring.

On Sudan, he said, “We need all parties silencing the guns and committing to a path towards sustainable peace and accountability for the Sudanese people.”

“We will also strengthen our collaboration to advance human rights and counter terrorism as well as violent extremism,” he concluded.

Earlier today, Guterres also met with President Cyril Ramaphosa, they exchanged views on issues of common interest, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the reform of the international financial architecture, Financing for Development, Climate Action and the G20 agenda for 2025.
Prior to that, the Secretary-General delivered some remarks at a meeting of the G20 Sherpas that is going on in Johannesburg. His message was that our financial institutions need an update, and developing countries must be represented fairly in their governance.