Deputy Chair, this year, from 28 November to 9 December, South Africa will be hosting the 17th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP 17. As a result of this important honour, climate change is a high priority on government's agenda. The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs has drafted a climate change Green Paper and is busy with climate change awareness-raising activities throughout the country.
Since the notification of the convention in 1997, South Africa has been involved in multilateral processes that seek to curb the negative impact of climate change. It is on this premise that the Presiding Officers of Parliament decided to send a delegation from Parliament to represent it at the Conference of Parties established under the United Nations and commonly known as COP 16, in Cancun, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010. The delegation decided upon was multidisciplinary, multifaceted and multiparty, comprising chairpersons of some of the most relevant portfolio committees and select committees of Parliament dealing with climate change issues.
The NCOP was represented by three delegates, two from the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs and one member from the Select Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The COP 16 meeting provided us with insight into the climate change negotiations and prepared us for the engagement to follow in Durban this year. The parliamentary delegation has tabled a report, and we would like to highlight the following recommendations. Firstly, we recommend the consideration of the formation of a South African Globe International Chapter. Secondly, we recommend the consideration of the adoption of the two proposals being promoted by Globe International. The third recommendation deals with the formation of a parliamentary co-ordinating forum on climate change. The fourth recommendation deals with the proposed role of our Parliament in the lead-up to the COP 17 meeting. I thank you, Deputy Chairperson.
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.