The ICC Durban will be hosting one of the world’s largest conferences; the 17th (COP 17) Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Expectations are that over 30 000 people could attend, making it the largest event ever hosted in a South African city.
The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau has estimated that the economic spinoff for Durban will be enormous and rough estimates in respect of delegate spend alone will be in excess R300 million.
A key element which contributed to Durban winning the bid is the ICC Convention Centre, Arena and Exhibition Centre, which will enable the entire conference to be held on a secure island site.
Acting CEO, Jeremy Hurter and the entire staff of the ICC Durban are ecstatic, winning this conference demonstrates once again how important investments in convention and exhibition infrastructure are for the city and province.
“Hosting an event of this calibre and magnitude will leave a lasting legacy in terms of sustainability for the city. Based on our track record the ICC Durban and the city of Durban have the absolute confidence that we can host an event of this size."
"We believe climate change is a significant challenge which can only be addressed if all stakeholders act with community of purpose and solidarity of resolve”.
Mayor Obed Mlaba said “Securing the bid was a wonderful coup and honour for Durban. The size of our International Convention Centre has given Durban the edge in winning this massive global conference”.
Reacting to the announcement municipal manager Michael Sutcliffe said “Durban has got the big one”. Sutcliffe also confirmed that Durban will host the seventh World Conference on Sport Culture and Education next month an event organized by the International Olympic Committee and the UN.
The interim CEO of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, James Seymour, is equally delighted.
“This will be the largest conference that South Africa has hosted and will go a long way in boosting the image of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as an important business tourism destination.”
The conference will take place from November 28 to December 9, 2011 in Durban, South Africa. The COP is the highest body of the UNFCCC and consists of environment ministers who meet once a year to discuss the convention’s developments.
It is expected that ministers and officials from over 100 countries will attend including countries with observer status, industry groups and non-government organizations.
The last Climate Change Conference took place in Copenhagen in 2009 and attracted over 20 000 people. This year the conference will be hosted in Cancun, Mexico.
