The United Nations Climate Change Conference, Durban 2011, delivered a breakthrough on the international community's response to climate change. In the second largest meeting of its kind, the negotiations advanced, in a balanced fashion, the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, and the Cancun Agreements. The outcomes included a decision by Parties to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, and no later than 2015. The President of COP17/CMP7 Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said: "What we have achieved in Durban will play a central role in saving tomorrow, today."

The Durban Conference comprised:

- The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP),
- The 7th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP),
- The 35th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI),
- The 35th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA),
- The 10th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) 
- The 12th session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) 

The Conference was hosted by the Government of South Africa and took place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) & Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC)

"By mastering the challenging Durban agenda, governments can take a significant step towards a climate change regime that delivers on the ground". Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary UNFCCC Read biography

"It may seem impossible, but working together we can all rise to our responsibilities". H.E. Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and President of COP 17 and CMP 7 Read biography