Durban - COP17/CMP President and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane held a welcome reception for delegates on Monday night.
COP17 delegates were treated to South African style hospitality and electric Zulu dance performances at a cocktail function at the Durban City Hall.
A vibrant atmosphere allowed delegates, who completed the opening day of COP17, to let their hair down and socialise informally on the streets of Durban.
Nkoana-Mashabane led UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, Premier Zweli Mkhize and other high-profiled guests on the stage to dance to local beats.
Government has congratulated Nkoana-Mashabane on officially being named the Conference of Parties President earlier on Monday. She takes over from Mexico's Patricia Espinosa.
"Minister Nkoana-Mashabane's appointment reflects the esteem in which South Africa is held by the international community. The minister's appointment affords South Africa an opportunity to provide global leadership as negotiators address the challenge of climate change and attempt to secure a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol," said Cabinet spokesperson, Jimmy Manyi in a statement.
Government has also noted the successful opening of COP17, saying it is confident that it has set the tone for the rest of the conference.
"Government wishes to add its voice to the warm welcome extended to delegates by President [Jacob] Zuma ... and endorses the President's stated wish that parties to the Conference should strive to find solutions in Durban that will build on the good work done in Cancun, Mexico, at the COP16/CMP6.
"Government also wishes to underline the President's expectation that the outcome of the Durban Conference should be "balanced, fair and credible", and see to the operationalisation of the Cancun agreement, taking forward the Kyoto Protocol and providing funding to address the impacts of climate change," said Manyi.
He added that visitors should find time to explore KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in greater depth, as South Africa looks forward to welcoming delegates on future visits.
