UK state visit | Ramaphosa urges rich nations to help with climate aid

LONDON - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday urged rich nations to help save vulnerable ones from climate change, as he made the first state visit of King Charles III's reign.

Addressing UK parliamentarians in the ornate Royal Gallery of the Palace of Westminster, Ramaphosa nodded at the corruption endemic in his country -- including, for his critics, in the presidency itself.

WATCH: Discussion | Ramaphosa in UK for visit with King Charles

He said his government was striving "to rebuild our economy in the wake of the pandemic and the era of state capture", as he urged the UK government to let in more South African students ahead of talks Wednesday with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Following the recent COP27 climate meeting in Egypt, Ramaphosa said an agreement to create a fund for poor and developing nations needed to be turned into cash.

"This should not be seen as charity," he said. 

"It is compensation for the harm done -- and the harm yet to be done -- to people in developing economies as a consequence of the industrialisation that wealthy countries have had over many years."

The king, long known for his advocacy on issues relating to the climate, said "we must find and implement practical solutions to the twin, existential threats of climate change and biodiversity loss".

READ: Ramaphosa arrives in UK for king's first state visit

Ahead of the speech in parliament, Ramaphosa toured nearby Westminster Abbey including a memorial stone for former president Nelson Mandela, who served as president of South Africa between 1994 and 1999. 

Afterwards, he went on to a state banquet hosted by Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the choice of Ramaphosa for Charles's first state visit was a sign of the UK's "enduring commitment" to Africa, even as it eyes new partners in Asia post-Brexit.