President Robert Mugabe on Monday took a swipe at western leaders for being “miserly” and warned that the world is on the brink of a breaking point as it struggles to address the issue of climate change.
Mr. Mugabe was speaking at the opening of the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change currently underway in Paris, France.
Mr. Mugabe said developed nations are not showing serious commitment in reaching an agreement on dealing effectively with climate change.
The president said, "It is the developing countries, and Africa in particular, that is feeling the most devastating effects of climate change caused by industrialization of the developed world.
"It is at this conference that developed countries finally assume responsibility and avail resources for adaptation and make more commitments towards mitigation of the phenomena.”
Mr. Mugabe told the gathering that "it is unconscionable that not only are developed countries miserly in providing the means" for developing countries, "but also want inordinately to burden us with cleaning up the mess they themselves have created."
Other leaders at the summit include President Barack Obama of the United States, XI Jinping of China and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Beijing and Washington announced a joint approach in dealing with climate changes.
Mr. Obama told world leaders that the effects of climate change are affecting the whole world without exception.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5
Remarks by President Barack Obama
Eleven countries have pledged US$250 million towards climate change adaptation at the conference.
Environment Africa Country Director for Zimbabwe, Barnabas Mawire, told VOA Studio 7 that Mr. Mugabe’s concerns are legitimate.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5
Interview With Barnabas Mawire