KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize and Durban Mayor James Nxumalo both heaped praises on the city for hosting a successful conference.
An estimated 20 000 delegates from around the world, including international media and civil society, attended the United Nations climate change talks and agreed on the second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol which expires next year.
"We are absolutely overwhelmed by the success of this event for the city... irrespective of the outcome for the broader climate change discussion, Durban has notched up a number of significant successes, of which we are immensely proud," Nxumalo said.
The KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council, meanwhile, congratulated all key role players for the "outstanding work" during COP17 which took place from November 28 to December 10.
Describing it as an "early Christmas present for the province", Mkhize said KwaZulu-Natal had been showered with accolades for the exceptionally high standard in handling all logistics, including security, accommodation and facilities.
"We thank President Jacob Zuma for the stewardship and the President of the Conference, [International Relations] Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane for skilfully managing all the COP17 meetings leading to the successful conclusion. We also commend the role of [Water and Environmental Affairs] Minister Edna Molewa as leader of the South African delegation in bilateral and multilateral platforms to seek group consensus. Read the full report here.
Source: by Kemantha Govender, 7th Space, Durban.
