Summary of Programmes

 

       1.South African Mayors Conference on Climate Change and COP 17 (09 – 11 October 2011, Ekurhuleni)

  • The Conference is aimed at giving Mayors and Municipal Officials background an overview on Climate Change in preparation for COP17-CMP7.  Four representatives from all the 278 municipalities are expected to attend.
  • It is a platform for municipalities to share knowledge on climate change and build capacity ahead of the 17thConference of the Parties (COP17).
  • This mayors meeting takes place against a backdrop of a concern by municipalities that the UNFCCC processes is not making as much progress towards establishing a coordinated global approach to assisting communities to adapt to climate  change that is causing severe natural catastrophes that communities and their local authorities are increasingly having to deal with as the world battles to develop implement and an effective coordinated effort to reducing green house gas emissions

 

       2. IBSA Local Government Dialogue - linked to the IBSA Summit (16 October 2011)

  • As part of the IBSA Summit to be held in Tshwane from 17 – 18 October 2011, SALGA has organised a one day dialogue session with its local government counter parts from India and Brazil on 16 October 2011.
  • The purpose of this dialogue is Knowledge Sharing on Climate Change response by Local Governments of IBSA Counterparts and sharing of Local Governments Perspectives on the current global Climate Change response discourse including United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • IBSA is a trilateral alliance among the most prominent countries of Asia - India, Latin America – Brazil, and Africa – South Africa.  June 2003 saw the establishment of India-Brazil-South Africa Movement as a grouping of three fast developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere that only came into existence to strengthen their power and influence gaining recognition in the United Nations and the rest of the world. 

IBSA Plenary (17-18 October)

  • 17 October 2011: Presentation of Report to Plenary by India Representative: Professor Nelly Rodrigues: President, Association of Local Governance of India (ALGI) and elected Chairperson of Goa village Panchayat (District Local Council)
  • 18 October 2011: Signing of Memorandum of Co-operation by Chairpersons of  ALGI (Association of Local Governance of India), CNM (Confederação Nacional de Municípios) and SALGA (South African Local Government Association

      3.International Local Government Convention

  • The objective is to organize an international conference that will provide a solid platform for South African Municipalities and their partners elsewhere in the developing world to change the course of the current climate change discourse.  It is believed that this will give the necessary impetus to the interests of our country and the rest of the developing world in the negotiations. It will seek to develop a science based argument for the necessary emphasis on a climate change discourse that is relevant to the context of the countries of the developing world and their cities and municipalities.
  • This major pre-COP17-CMP7 international event will focus primarily on the agenda of the Local Governments from Africa and the Global South – with a strong emphasis on climate adaptation and resilience. It will take place in Durban (ICC) over 3 days and will bring key stakeholders from the following sectors together:

- Patron – South African Government

- Local Government leaders (elected and technical) primarily from the Global South

- Presidents and Administrative Heads of national associations of Local Government

- International, regional and national networks of Local Governments (ICLEI, UCLG, SALGA, World Mayors Council on Climate Change, etc)

- Climate change scientists, particularly in the field of climate adaptation (global)

- Senior global players engaged in the UNFCCC COP17 negotiations, e.g. the President of COP17, UNFCCC Secretariat, development aid agencies

      

      4. Local Government Pavilion at COP 17-CMP7

  • The LG Pavilion at SA Expo at COP17 will be showcasing what South African municipalities and local government in general municipalities are doing to mitigate and adapt to climate change effects. Municipalities will practically demonstrate interventions and projects that have been implemented in different communities through the exhibits. Projects will range from mitigation to adaptation projects. 
  • The Expo will be created as a platform to also promote dialogue on environmental issues by public sector, private sector and non-governmental organizations. Throughout the duration of the Expo, seminars and/or roundtables on different sub-themes will also be organized.
  • The conferencing venue of the Pavilion will also host the Conference of Signatories of the Mexico Pact and Mayors Summit at COP 17.