By Michael Cashman MEP - 23rd November 2011
While South Africa faces a number of challenges as hosts of the conference, if an international agreement is reached under its guidance it would afford the country international recognition and prestige
Michael Cashman MEP
COP17 will provide an opportunity for South Africa to take on an important leadership role and rally the support of the continent, writes Michael Cashman.
The eyes of the world were firmly focused on South Africa in 2010, for what is one of the largest sporting events: the World Cup. During the countdown to the event, observers consistently underestimated the ability of South Africa as hosts.
However, what emerged was a unique and memorable tournament embracing the culture and heritage of this diverse country.
This December, South Africa will play host to a very different kind of international event. Durban, South Africa’s third largest city, will host the gathering of the 17th conference of parties to the UN framework convention on climate change.
Great expectations surround South Africa due to the success of the World Cup and its history of political agreements. Who can forget the momentous convention for a democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations, which led to the end of the apartheid and the first elections with universal suffrage?
While South Africa faces a number of challenges as hosts of the conference, if an international agreement is reached under its guidance it would afford the country international recognition and prestige.
However, it is important to recognise that whether or not landmark policies emerge from COP17, the summit is an opportunity for South Africa to take on a leadership role around the negotiating table. It also highlights that while challenges still exist, South Africa and other developing countries have both the ambition and the willingness to be part of the solution in the climate change debate.
South Africa has a real opportunity to rally the support of the African continent and bring about new global leaders to widen the engagement of the global south in the climate change debate. It is also an opportunity to build upon the progress that was made in Copenhagen 2009, which saw countries like South Africa, Brazil and China play a key role.
The summit comes as a number of policy changes on climate change and sustainable development in South Africa, demonstrating their environmental conscience, with COP17 providing a great platform on which to discuss environmental protection, and balance the fight against climate change with socioeconomic development.
South Africa has the opportunity to once again demonstrate its leadership capabilities, on the same level as other United Nations and G20 countries.
South Africa is the host and negotiator for southern Africa. This follows a period where it has been increasingly vocal on the world stage, and provides South Africa with a platform to balance environmental concerns, job creation and economic development.
It is a real opportunity to draw South Africa and other vulnerable states, who are the main victims of climate change related problems, such as drought, famine, and the issue of environmental refugees, to the centre of the discussion.
Raising the voice of the developing world is the central role for South Africa. Countries with differing responsibilities, capabilities and divergent positions will converge, bridging international gaps and facilitating the environmental diplomatic process to move forward in building global solutions.
Michael Cashman is chair of parliament's delegation for relations with South Africa
