Ramaphosa urges leaders to tackle poverty now!

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa tells leaders at the G20 Summit to redouble efforts to end poverty.

He said Sub-Saharan Africa was the worst affected by the scourge.

On Monday, 18 November, Ramaphosa delivered his opening address at the G20 Summit underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He told heads of state, and governments of the G20 members and invited countries that it's "only through an integrated and comprehensive system of social support" that they can assist the most vulnerable in society.

"South Africa fully supports the Brazilian Presidency's focus on social inclusion and the fight against hunger. According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people are currently living in extreme poverty. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67% of these people," Ramaphosa said.

He pointed out that at the same time, countries with developing economies face declining growth prospects, declining investments and rising debt.

Ramaphosa said these challenges can derail development gains and progress made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

"We must, therefore, urgently redouble efforts to eliminate poverty and hunger. We must advance gender equality.

"And we must overcome planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and pollution," he said.

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Ramaphosa said since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, South Africa has dedicated effort and resources to easing poverty and reducing inequality.

"Through its substantial social protection programmes, our government has provided vital support to millions of South Africans, lifting many out of extreme poverty and ensuring that our communities meet most of their basic needs."

Ramaphosa said these social protection measures include provision of free basic services, healthcare, basic education, higher education, social housing and transport.

He said Mzansi is committed to ending poverty, malnutrition and hunger in line with the government's National Development Plan.

"Food security will be one of the high-level priorities of South Africa's G20 Presidency. As the G20, we need to ensure achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals remains at the forefront of international financing decisions," he said.

"We need to ensure long outstanding commitments are met. And we need to ensure that new, at-scale, affordable and accessible funding is mobilised to support sustainable development."

Ramaphosa implored leaders to ensure no one was left behind.