Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the South African delegation at COP17 for their "outstanding achievement" at the recently concluded climate change conference in Durban.
Zuma, who is currently on a working visit to Benin, telephoned International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane - president of COP 17 - and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa - leader of the SA delegation - to congratulate them on the outcome of the conference.
"The outcome in Durban is a coup for Africa. Issues that had taken so long to resolve have been resolved on our soil. We are very happy and proud of the South African team that worked so hard with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to make Durban succeed. This is a moment of glory for South Africa and Africa," the President said.
He also praised the COP17 Inter-ministerial Committee, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality.
"The whole team has done exceptionally well and has made us walk tall," Zuma added.
He further extended his gratitude to local and foreign media, civil society, especially COSATU, the interfaith sector, women's organisations and other stakeholders for their contribution to the conference's success.
"We also thank public servants from all government departments and all three spheres of government for their contribution to making the event.
"We cannot forget the people of eThekwini and surroundings who, as usual, welcomed the guests with open arms and warmth. Well done to Team South Africa! We did it again through working together," Zuma said.
After two weeks of negotiations, parties at COP17 reached key decisions with regards to the Green Climate Fund, adaption, technology and support for developing country action.
On the issue of the Green Climate Fund, countries have started to pledge to contribute to start-up costs of the fund, meaning it could be made ready in 2012.
A Standing Committee will also keep an overview of climate finance in the context of the UNFCCC and to assist the Conference of the Parties.
A focused work programme on long-term finance was agreed to, 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.
With regards to adaptation, The Adaptation Committee will report to the COP on its efforts to improve the coordination of adaptation actions at a global scale.
The adaptive capacities of the poorest and most vulnerable countries are to be strengthened, with the most vulnerable to receive better protection against loss and damage caused by extreme weather events related to climate change.
Governments also agreed to a registry to record developing countries' mitigation actions that seek financial support and to match these with support.
