Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is in New York to preside over South Africa assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of January.

The UNSC presidency rotates monthly among its member states alphabetically, and the Council is organised in such a way that it is able to function continuously.

The International Relations Department says South Africa will use its presidency to explore concrete measures to strengthen the relationship between the UN and regional organisations, in particular the African Union, in the area of conflict prevention, management and resolution on the African continent.

"We will certainly take advantage of these important occasions to advance our international relations policy objectives, including supporting the African Agenda, South-South and North-South cooperation, with a view to promoting democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights," said President Zuma.

Zuma and President Tarja Halonen of Finland will co-chair the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP), which aims to formulate a new plan for achieving sustainable development and meeting the Millennium Development Goals and other development objectives. ?

Since its establishment, the panel has explored approaches to growth that would translate into effective socio-economic development and poverty reduction. - BuaNews

After months of preparation and a marathon two weeks of negotiations that ended in the early morning hours of 11 December 2011, the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference or COP17/CMP7 came to an end at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban. Parties have delivered a breakthrough on the future of the international community's response to climate change, whilst recognizing the urgent need to raise their collective level of ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep the average global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. The Parties thanked the COP17/CMP7 President, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, for her leadership in guiding the conference to produce a positive outcome. Durban expectations There were two main tasks that the UN wanted the conference to accomplish. One related to building the institutions that would help support the developing countries response to climate change. The second pressing task for governments was to answer the question of how they would move forward together to achieve their agreed goal to limit the average global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius, and how to review progress towards that goal between 2013 and 2015. A decision on the future of the Kyoto Protocol was also a central part of the Durban outcomes. The Kyoto Protocol is the only legally binding treaty the world presently has to combat climate change, and it is important that governments safeguard what they had worked on so long to agree and develop, and what has proven effective. The process During the first week of the Conference negotiators worked on the technical aspect of the negotiations. The officials were joined by no fewer than 12 Heads of State and Government, as well as 130 ministers, during the High-Level Segment which started on 6 December 2011. At the opening of the COP17/CMP High-level Segment, President Jacob Zuma said: "We are agreed that this global challenge requires a global solution. However, different positions still prevail on some critical points. It is important that there is common ground on the elements that will remain critical in reaching any agreement. These are multilateralism, environmental integrity, common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities, equity, and honouring of all international commitments and undertakings made in the climate change process." The outcomes in Durban Speaking at 5:10am at the conclusion of the Conference, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane thanked all Parties for their dedication, hard work and for the spirit of Ubuntu and compromise that prevailed during the Conference. "I applaud you for what you have been able to accomplish here in Durban. You were prepared to show the required political will to move this process forward. It is without any doubt in my mind that we have 'worked together to save tomorrow, today!'". The Minister said the decisions that had been taken were "truly historical". Decisions reached at COP17/CMP7 Governments decided to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, but not later than 2015. Work will begin on this immediately under a new group called the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. Governments, including 35 industrialised countries, agreed to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol from 01 January 2013. To achieve rapid clarity, Parties to this second period will turn their economy-wide targets into quantified emission limitation or reduction objectives and submit them for review by 01 May 2012. This is highly significant because the Kyoto Protocol's accounting rules, mechanisms and markets all remain in action as effective tools to leverage global climate action and as models to inform future agreements. A significantly advanced framework for the reporting of emission reductions for both developed and developing countries was also agreed, taking into consideration the common but differentiated responsibilities of different countries. In addition to charting the way forward on reducing greenhouse gases in the global context, governments agreed to the full implementation of the package to support developing nations, agreed last year in Cancun, Mexico (COP16/CMP6). This means that urgent support for the developing world, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable to adapt to climate change, will also be launched on time. The package includes the Green Climate Fund, an Adaptation Committee designed to improve the coordination of adaptation actions on a global scale, and a Technology Mechanism, which are to become fully operational in 2012. Whilst pledging to make progress in a number of areas, governments acknowledged the urgent concern that the current sum of pledges to cut emissions both from developed and developing countries was not high enough to keep the global average temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. They therefore decided that the UN Climate Change process shall increase ambition to act and will be led by the climate science in the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report and the global Review from 2013-2015. Key decisions: Green Climate Fund • Countries have already started to pledge to contribute to start-up costs of the fund, meaning it can be made ready in 2012, and at the same time can help developing countries get ready to access the fund, boosting their efforts to establish their own clean energy futures and adapt to existing climate change. • A Standing Committee is to keep an overview of climate finance in the context of the UNFCCC and to assist the Conference of the Parties. It will comprise 20 members, represented equally between the developed and developing world. • A focussed work programme on long-term finance was agreed, which will contribute to the scaling up of climate change finance going forward and will analyse options for the mobilisation of resources from a variety of sources.

Adaptation

• The Adaptation Committee, composed of 16 members, will report to the COP on its efforts to improve the coordination of adaptation actions at a global scale. • The adaptive capacities above all of the poorest and most vulnerable countries are to be strengthened. National Adaptation Plans will allow developing countries to assess and reduce their vulnerability to climate change.

• The most vulnerable are to receive better protection against loss and damage caused by extreme weather events related to climate change.

Technology

• The Technology Mechanism will become fully operational in 2012. • The full terms of reference for the operational arm of the Mechanism - the Climate Technology Centre and Network - are agreed, along with a clear procedure to select the host. The UNFCCC secretariat will issue a call for proposals for hosts on 16 January 2012. Support of developing country action • Governments agreed a registry to record developing country mitigation actions that seek financial support and to match these with support. The registry will be a flexible, dynamic, web-based platform. Other key decisions • A forum and work programme on unintended consequences of climate change actions and policies were established. • Under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, governments adopted procedures to allow carbon-capture and storage projects. These guidelines will be reviewed every five years to ensure environmental integrity.

• Governments agreed to develop a new market-based mechanism to assist developed countries in meeting part of their targets or commitments under the Convention. Details of this will be taken forward in 2012. ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF COP17/CMP7

 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,

Welcome to the official opening press conference for COP17/CMP7. I trust that this briefing will provide valuable information on the Conference and the expectations thereof.

We are under no illusion that this Conference will be an easy process. However, we are optimistic that it will be the place where the international climate change negotiators will arrive at some agreement on the pressing issues that need to some resolution within the next two weeks. As we have mentioned before, Durban is the end of the line for many pressing issues, like the second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as those outstanding issues of the Bali Action Plan and the Cancun Agreements that require operationalisation. The trust that was rekindled in Cancun is still fragile, and this Conference is the ideal opportunity for Parties to strengthen this trust. Within the Party-driven process and the procedures of the UNFCCC, we intend to ensure that this Conference is balanced, fair and credible and that it preserves and strengthens the multilateral rules-based response to climate change. In this regard, the approach to reach a balanced, fair and credible outcome must be directed by the principles that form the basis of UNFCCC climate change negotiations. These principles include multilateralism, environmental integrity, fairness (common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities, equity) and honouring of all international commitments and undertakings made in the climate change process. This brings me to the major impression that I have formed over the past year, during the formal and informal discussions, which is that the Durban Conference needs to be the place where the international climate change family faces its own demons and heals the wounds of mistrust and misunderstandings. At this point I wish to share with you my assessment of what we need to do to create the environment from where Parties would be able to work together. Here in Durban, we need to show the world that we are ready to tackle and solve our very real problems in a practical manner. It has been suggested that we approach Durban in a problem-solving mode and find ways to provide the required re-assurances to one another. Durban will be a decisive moment for the future of the multilateral rules-based regime which has evolved over many years under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol. The first Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol is about to come to an end.

In the negotiations, the fate of a second Commitment Period is made dependent on the decision on the legal nature of the outcome of the negotiations under the Convention, as it is a question that has been left unanswered from Bali. It is also clear that if this question is not resolved, the outcome on other matters in the negotiations will become extremely difficult. A solution must therefore be found.

The multilateral rules-based system must prevail for the world to effectively address the global problem of climate change. The system must also give the required re-assurances that our response to climate change cannot depend on the domestic measures alone, as there will then be no assurances that all Parties will do what needs to be done. Re-assurances are required that all Parties will work in a manner that will not jeopardise the gains made over the past decades; that adequate and sustainable long-term funding will be delivered, that implementation of all agreements will continue without an implementation gap occurring and finally the re-assurance that there is a shared vision that all Parties need to do more and do so urgently.

In addition, it is important that the Cancun Agreements must be operationalised, including the establishment of the key mechanisms and institutional arrangements agreed to in Cancun last year. Adaptation is an essential element for any outcome as it is a key priority for many developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Africa. The current fragmented approach to adaptation must be addressed in a more coherent manner and there should be equal priority given to adaptation and mitigation. It is important that any process has to be adequate enough to adhere to the principle of environmental integrity. It is in this respect that the low level of ambition continues to remain a serious concern. The Green Climate Fund represents a center piece of a broader set of outcomes for Durban, especially since the developing countries clearly demand a prompt start for funding as it would unlock many other pressing issues and would allow them to reach their objectives in this regard. The climate change negotiation process is still recovering from the serious setbacks it has suffered over the years and a trust deficit needs to be overcome. Therefore, in Durban, Parties from across the spectrum are asking from each other specific re-assurances that would enable all to move forward: Developing countries want to be re-assured that developed countries will honor their emission reduction obligations, as well as to provide the necessary means of implementation that would assist them to also do their part. Developed countries want to be re-assured that all of them would take up their fair share of actions and not walk away from commitments, while they also wish to be assured that bigger developing countries, who are also major emitters, would indeed also take up the responsibility to reduce emissions for the greater good of all. Durban needs to be the place where these re-assurances are provided to each other and from where the fragile trust building process amongst all Parties can continue. We need to show the world that Parties are ready to address the problems in a practical manner. My approach will be to focus on solving problems and, therefore, I will need the assistance of all Parties to work together to find solutions for the problems caused by climate change. The issue therefore at stake is what we will do now or immediately and what we need to do in the future. I am confident that all Parties will make a special effort and show the required leadership to creatively provide these assurances that can lead to consensus on all the outstanding issues. It is only by Working Together that we will be able to Save Tomorrow Today.

 

In three weeks' time South Africa will once again be the focus of the world when we host in Durban about 20 000 people from all over the world for the 17th Conference of Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) and the 7th Conference of Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol.

You will be aware, Honourable Members, that South Africa is participating in this event as a party in the negotiations as well as host and President of the conference. Minister Edna Molewa has been leading us in executing the former role; and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is playing the latter role.

We have, however, established an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) at the level of Cabinet to ensure coordination and synergy of the two roles, as well as that of Minister Trevor Manuel who is representing Africa on the Transitional Committee for the envisaged Green Climate Fund.

The global awareness of the threat posed by human-induced climate change to our planet and civilisation began in the late 1970s, culminating in the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which entered into force in 1994 (the year of our freedom). This convention established a secretariat (based in Bonn), and provided for an annual meeting of parties known as the COP (that is, the Conference of Parties).

The Kyoto Protocol (established in terms of the UNFCCC) which was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005 commits some developed countries (known as Annex 1 countries) to emission reduction obligations. In terms of this protocol, the first commitment period for these countries expires in 2012. A new commitment period must be negotiated and agreed to if the Kyoto Protocol is to have any relevance in the future – and this is what is at stake in Durban. The Kyoto Protocol also provides for an annual conference of parties. So, what will take place in Durban is the 17th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC and the 7th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

We have said that COP17/CMP7 must be an Africa COP. By this we mean three things: that the conference should be leveraged to advance African issues on sustainable development in general, and climate change in particular; showcase Africa's successes on sustainable development, including our green projects; and harvest international partnerships for Africa's green initiatives, especially with respect to mobilising necessary means of implementation in the form of finance, technology, and capacity-building.

As we prepare for this important global event, we have concentrated our efforts in the main in the following three areas: namely: logistics; substance; and, in the build-up, communication and outreach.

On logistics, we have an interdepartmental team, including the KZN province and eThekwini, leading us in this area. We continue to monitor risks in this area, but in the main we are happy with our state of readiness. You will be aware, Honourable Members, of our website as well as the logo and slogan of the conference: "Working Together; Saving Tomorrow Today!". The 2010 FIFA World Cup experience has prepared our cities for the hosting of events of this nature.

Substance is where risk to the success of the conference lies. The COP is a party-led process; parties negotiate from the stand point of their sovereignty and national interest which are not always in sync with each other. The disarticulation of the North-South and developed-developing countries divide comes out sharply in this respect. Within each of these "developing" and "developed" countries categories are other groupings each participating in the negotiations to extract concessions that will further what is sometimes conflicting interests. South Africa is participating in this configuration of forces through Minister Molewa in the BASIC, G77 plus China, AMCEN, the African Union's CAHOSC's process and the Africa Group.

Our approach as the COP Presidency comprises three phases. Early this year we went on a listening campaign, meeting and talking to parties without pronouncing a specific view. After listening to the parties, we started, in the second phase, to pronounce on what we hear the parties to be saying about what should come out of Durban. At the last inter-sessional meeting in Panama in September (the third phase), we started calling on parties to develop a text on which negotiations in Durban will be based. We are happy to report that our plea did not fall on deaf ears. We are going to Durban with text in most of the negotiation tracks, including a report (with recommendations) of the Transition Committee on the Green Climate Fund.

Our three-phased approach has paid off – our credibility as incoming COP Presidency is still intact. This is important because the success of Durban will in many respects depend on the confidence and trust that parties have in the COP Presidency.

There are two competing visions of what should come out of Durban (even though this gap is now beginning to narrow down). One vision wants to limit Durban's focus to the operationalisation of what came out of COP16/CMP6 (the Cancun Agreements) of last year. Another wants Durban to focus on both the Cancun Agreements and the finalisation of matters still outstanding from the Bali Roadmap.

In this context, there are a number of messages we are hearing from the parties, and topping the list is the 2nd Commitment of the Kyoto Protocol, and indeed the operationalisation of what came out of the Cancun Agreements, and the conclusion of issues still outstanding from the Bali Roadmap. Africa has singled out Adaptation as a key highlight of what should come out of Durban. Therefore, in Durban, we will have to work hard to close gaps among the parties on these key issues.

Honourable Members,

As mandated by the Cancun Agreements South Africa as incoming COP17/CMP7 President undertook a number of informal consultations in order to further prepare Parties for the meeting in Durban at the end of the year. In this regard the following events are worth singling out:

· The Informal Ministerial Meeting in Pretoria from 5 to 9 September 2011

· The Leaders' Dialogue that took place in New York on 20 September 2011

· The Inter-Sessional Meeting in Panama from 1 to 7 October 2011; and the

· The Pre-COP in Stellenbosch on 20 and 21 October 2011.

We will give a more detailed account of these meetings in our statement to Parliament tomorrow.

In our interaction with parties, we tried our best to manage expectations. We emphasise in our message the centrality of country parties and transparency. What we say, is what we hear the parties say – instead of imposing an outcome on the parties.

Honourable Members,

On build-up and outreach, we have been on a road-show in the country to speak about the Durban Conference. We are using the countdown to Durban as a mobilisation tool. Our engagement with civil society bodies across the country is continuing.

In a word, Honourable Members, we are happy with the progress; but we know that in terms of substance, Durban is not going to be easy. It is here that we need the support of all.

We must do our best to get the parties to find each other on the future of the Kyoto Protocol as agreement on this point or lack of it will affect progress in other negotiations tracks. Here, we must work on parties that are key to the deal. Our work must be at all levels. Reaching a consensus among the 194 country parties is not going to be easy.

A lot of work still needs to be done in the preparations for COP17/CMP7 in Durban. We must be continuously encouraged to rise to the challenge, particularly moving beyond narrow national positions and use limited time in Durban economically. However, the positive spirit for compromise, as demonstrated during the Panama meeting in September, prevailed which bodes well for the COP17/CMP7 in Durban. COP17/CMP7 will not be an easy COP and it will require a special effort in negotiations to reach consensus on all the outstanding issues. Fortunately, Parties are willing to assist South Africa and to work together to ensure a credible outcome in Durban.

Durban's outcomes should provide a platform from where the strengthening of the full, effective and sustained implementation of the Convention, through a comprehensive multilateral rules based system on climate change, enforceable and equally binding on all beyond 2020, can be achieved. A decision in Durban should focus on how stronger implementation can happen NOW, as well as to decide on the FUTURE direction of the climate change negotiations and how it should unlock many other difficulties in the negotiations that are integral parts of the Durban outcome.

For the NOW part of the suggested outcome, a 2nd commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol for developed countries is essential. No gap between the first and the second commitment period must occur. At the same time, it might be necessary to strengthen existing mechanisms to assist Parties undertaking a 2nd commitment period to achieve their commitments. For those developed countries that are not Party to the Kyoto Protocol, or for those that reject a 2nd commitment period, comparable and measurable mitigation commitments must be implemented and must be equally enforceable.

Developing countries on the other hand have to implement their declared mitigation actions assisted through the necessary support in a measurable and transparent manner. Rules for accounting and for transparency are essential and should be given effect to as provided for in the Cancun agreements. Making the Cancun mechanisms and institutions fully operational and honoring the financial undertakings already made is again part of this delicate balance.

For the FUTURE part of the outcome, all Parties will collectively have to do more, with developed countries taking the lead. An increase in the current inadequate level of ambition is urgently required. It is only by working together that we can save tomorrow today.

Honourable Members,

Even though the UNFCCC process is of states, the role of civil society is a factor that we have not ignored. We have established a capacity dedicated to interaction with this sector of our people. Civil society shares our concern about the threat posed by human-caused climate change. Like us, they want to see from states bold and ambition action, urgently. They want Durban to succeed.

Media is another constituency whose role is critical now and will be in Durban. We are running workshops for the media to ensure that they play a role that will help deliver a positive outcome in Durban.

Parliament as an institution, and yourselves Honourable Members as distinguished leaders in our communities, continue to make an invaluable contribution in the area of climate change. We are aware of the good work being done by this Parliament in this respect. However, I believe that working together we can do more in the fight against climate change. As Parliament, you can leverage your global reach to reinforce the message of what should come out of Durban. You have good and active relations with countries whose role in Durban will be critical to the deal there.

Honourable Members

I do not need to emphasise the importance of climate change to our national interests including our quest for a better life here at home, in Africa, and abroad. This issue is about development. Common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities is central to the principles of the UNFCCC.

Climate change is a component of sustainable development. It is about finding a balance between the imperatives of socio-economic development and meeting the needs of our people (on the one hand), and protecting our environment (on the other). Our sister department, DEA, has just released our White Paper detailing our national response to this challenge.

We are clear in our mind about the link between COP17/CMP7 and Rio+20 on sustainable development which will be held in Brazil next year, and the biodiversity meeting that India will host in the same year. It was at the historic Earth Summit that took place in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro in 1992 that 154 countries signed the UNFCCC. It was at the same Summit that the Biodiversity Convention was opened for signature by countries.

Pretoria - In a move geared towards reducing the country's carbon footprint, South Africa will launch an ambitious project aimed at boosting the green economy during COP 17.

The South African Renewables Initiative (SARi), which will be unveiled at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is a programme the country will use to catalyse the growth of a green industry through the financing of large-scale renewable generation capacity.

"SARi presents a key element in ensuring that South Africa meets the emissions targets set by President Jacob Zuma who, at COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009, committed South Africa to reducing its emissions trajectory to 34% below business as usual by 2020, and to 42% by 2025," said Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies.

SARi is an integral part of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) and it will help to develop capacity in related industries by designing a financial solution that will result in the roll-out of large-scale renewable generation capacity.

The launch of SARi will be accompanied by the announcement of partnerships between the South African government and international governments and Development Finance Institutions that will work together to explore possibilities for further developing the renewables industry.

Davies said an initial design for a financing mechanism has been developed, which combines low-cost loans, insurance and other financial instruments with climate funding on a pay-for-performance basis.

"Success in the large-scale development of renewables could realise direct economic benefits of up to 40 000 jobs, contribute up to 15% of South Africa's Copenhagen Commitment and decarbonise exports by up to 30% in increasingly carbon sensitive international markets," added Davies.

SA is looking to use its international partnerships next year to help the country secure funding to enable an ambitious scale up of renewables. - BuaNews