Adaption is the COP 17 plan

Speaking at an event to mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Non-Alignment Movement in Serbia, Nkoana-Mashabane said developed nations also needed to realise that adaptation needs for developing countries depend on emission reduction ambition of all parties.

South Africa is this year's host to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the country hopes to follow on the relative progress made at last year's negotiations in Cancun, Mexico.

The conference in Durban takes place at a time when the expiry in 2012 of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which bound nearly 40 countries to specific emission reduction targets, looms.

Decisions on the future of the treaty were deferred until the Durban summit. It remains to be seen whether countries will sign up for a second commitment period to cut emissions beyond 2012.

But the minister said agreement on the balance between the 2nd Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol and a comparable emission reduction regime for non-Kyoto Parties, was central to the outcome of the Durban Conference.

South Africa had every intention to utilise all opportunities to advance the COP17 process to ensure that Durban was a success, she said.

"We are humbled by the support we continue to receive from parties and international organisations as we move towards Durban. This, to us, is a demonstration of our collective commitment to save this planet that has been loaned to us by our forbearers for safe-keeping for future generations."

President Jacob Zuma also said Norway can play a major role in investing in Africa's energy security, the green economy and climate change.

Speaking at a business forum in Oslo, Zuma said such investments would lead to a cleaner environment and sustainable economic development of the African continent.

"Norway has the capacity and resources to make a significant contribution to the green economy including renewable energy, parts and equipment for technology.

"South Africa would welcome such investment and would like to partner Norwegian companies to work on the continent in the green economy," he said.

Since international trade was a key tool of boosting economic growth and job creation, the government was encouraged by the progress in trade relations with Norway.

Zuma, accompanied by several Cabinet ministers, was in Norway for an official visit this week and was with King Harald V and the Queen.

South Africa's trade with Norway has increased significantly over the past five years, doubling from R963 million in 2006, to more than R3 billion in 2010.

This growth was driven by a major increase in South African exports to Norway, and South Africa becoming a net exporter to Norway in 2007.

Zuma indicated that South African companies would like to partner with Norwegian companies in the oil and gas, environment and marine technology, innovation and knowledge based industries.

South Africa and Norway should also co-operate on climate issues ahead of the COP 17 summit in Durban later this year. BuaNews