Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.
It is with immense pride that the eThekwini Municipality announces
that the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP 17) of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and CMP 7 will
be held in Durban, South Africa, in December 2011.
This further confirms Durban’s status as the sporting and events
capital of Africa and will provide the city with another opportunity
to showcase its ability to host large events. It also presents an
opportunity from which to raise awareness around climate change and to
promote its own climate change work as an example to others.
Following fierce competition against Cape Town and Johannesburg, both
of which were worthy contenders, the announcement of Durban’s award
was delivered by Parliament yesterday.
Upon hearing that Durban had won the award, Premier Zweli Mkhize
expressed his delight saying that: “Durban as our host city in the
Province of KwaZulu-Natal has again done us proud and this major
conference will not only boost the profile of the city and province,
with expected tourism benefits, but will also allow us to showcase our
diverse developmental programmes of the city and Province during the
COP17 and CMP7 meetings.”
Durban Mayor, the Honourable Obed Mlaba stated: “Durban looks
forward to welcoming as many as 40,000 COP 17/CMP7 visitors which will
include Heads of State, Government Officials, Businessmen and other
delegates. Durban has consistently demonstrated that we are truly a
climate change leader. It is only fitting that an event such as COP
17/CMP7 is held in a city that has achieved this high standing at both
a national and an internal level.”
Durban has on numerous occasions demonstrated that it has the capacity
to host large events. The COP 17 conference will be hosted in the
Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre as well as the
Durban Exhibition Centre – the biggest convention centre in South
Africa.
“Hosting such a prestigious conference will provide a range of
positive outcomes for the city of Durban and will confirm Durban’s
status as Africa’s sporting and events capital” stated Dr Michael
Sutcliffe, Durban’s City Manager. “The benefits to the city will not
only boost Durban’s tourism and hospitality sectors, which will imply
the creation of new jobs, but will also generate a significant amount
of international publicity for the city and continue to maintain the
positive reputation created by the World Cup.”
Furthermore, Durban will be provided with an opportunity to showcase
successful and progressive greening projects, some of which are firsts
for the African continent. Durban’s work in the climate change arena
and its international regard as Africa’s climate change leader really
sets it apart.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or
FCCC) is an international treaty arising from the UN’s conference on
Environment and Development. The treaty aims to stabilise
greenhouse gas emissions to minimise their impact on the earth’s
climate. The conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body
of the Convention, and advances implementation of the Convention
through the decisions it takes at its annual meetings since 1995. In
1997, the Kyoto Protocol was introduced binding obligations for
developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information contact Thabo Mofokeng on 031 311 4820 or 0827317456 or
e-mail mofokengthabo@durban.gov.za
