23 November 2011: Focusing on the upcoming Durban Climate Change Conference, the latest edition of the UNFCCC newsletter includes video messages from UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres, and from the President of Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.

In her message, Figueres emphasizes that “Durban can and must capture global momentum for change,” she highlights a “deep and global shift” in values and polices around the world that must advance hand in hand with international progress on climate change. President Zuma expresses the hope that delegates will jointly develop the solutions needed “at a time when our planet is facing a crisis.”

The newsletter also focuses on the “Momentum for Change Initiative,” which will be showcased in Durban. The Secretariat pays tribute to Mama Konaté, Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and National Focal Point of Mali, who recently passed away in Bonn, Germany.

Progress and activities under mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology are also highlighted. An update of the Ad Hoc Working Group for Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) is also provided. A section titled “science and review” discusses: the evolution of a shared vision in terms of initiating the review of the long-term goal to limit global warming; and climate science and the state of the climate. The newsletter further highlights, among other climate news, the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). [UNFCCC Newsletter nº 28, November 2011]