Pretoria – South Africa says it is impressed with progress being made at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany.
The Bonn conference, running from June 6 – 17, is a build-up to COP 17, which will be held in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011.
“In the lead up to the Durban climate change conference in December this year, South Africa welcomes the progress being made in Bonn and encourages the international community to further intensify efforts to finalise decisions on the large number of elements that will make up a comprehensive and balanced post 2012 international climate change regime,” said the Department of Environmental Affairs on Friday.
The Bonn talks are centred on how best to build on the progress made thus far, as well as on pending issues that have not yet been agreed upon.
The department said the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) have started with work on the more mature aspects of the future climate change.
South Africa says for the Durban talks to be successful, a balance must be struck between operationalising decisions made thus far in the negotiation and pending issues; the outcomes under both the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, and advancement of all elements that will make up the future climate change regime.
“In Bonn, as we are progressing on the various elements, many countries have noted the need for additional negotiating time to fully develop ambitious recommendations for consideration in Durban and have therefore called for a further negotiation session in September/October,” said the department.
The Bonn meeting has attracted more than 3 000 participants from 183 countries, including government delegates, representatives from business and industry, environmental organisations and research institutions. – BuaNews
