‘Most countries will miss climate goals as SDG deadline nears’

President Cyril Ramphosa speaks at the 20th Commission Session and the Inauguration of the new commissioners at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on December 5, 2025.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the Presidential Climate Commission for raising concerns about the impact of climate change on the country.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the 20th Commission Session and the Inauguration of the new commissioners at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on Friday.

He says nine years after the signing of the Paris Agreement, with five years left to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it is evident that most countries will miss the climate goals.

Ramaphosa says, “It would be no understatement to say that the past five years have seen our reputation grow as a respected but also as a principled and above all a pragmatic contributor to global climate efforts.”

He adds, “Our voice has been raised and our voice is respected, and wherever we go, our voice has been heeded and sought. This is a feather that you have added to our cap as a country and I applaud because your work has always been impactful.”