SEE THIS LINK FOR DETAILS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DURBAN: http://unfccc.int/2860.php

In the first week in December – in Durban South Africa, the United Nations is hosting their 17th Conference :

WHAT IS COP 17?

Since the UNFCCC entered into force in 1995, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC have been meeting annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change.

• The COP adopts decisions and resolutions, published in reports of the COP.  Successive decisions taken by the COP make up a detailed set of rules for practical and effective implementation of the Convention.

WHAT IS CMP?

• The COP serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which also adopts decisions and resolutions on the implementation of its provisions.
• This annual meeting is referred to as the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP).
• However, Parties to the Convention that are not Parties to the Protocol are able to participate in the CMP as observers, but without the right to take decisions.

COP /CMP PRESIDENCY

• The office of the Conference President rotates annually between the five United Nations (UN) regional groups.  Mexico held the COP 16 / CMP 6 in 2010 and is currently the COP/CMP President.
• The African Group will be the next proud host of the Conference with COP 17 / CMP 7 taking place from 28 November to 9 December 2011 in Durban, South Africa.  Kenya held the Presidency of the Conference in 2006 with the COP 12 / CMP 12 in Nairobi.
• Following the procedural rules of the Conference, it is customary for the COP and CMP to elect as President a minister from the host country.  The President of COP 17/CMP 7 is Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT IN SOUTH AFRICA?

If nothing is done about climate change and we continue, among other things, to burn fossil fuels and chop down our forests at current rates, the following is predicted for South Africa:

• South Africa’s coastal regions will warm by around 1-2°C by about 2050 and around 3-4°C by about 2100;
• South Africa’s interior regions will warm by around 3-4°C by about 2050 and around 6-7°C by about 2100;
• There will be significant changes in rainfall patterns and this, coupled with increased evaporation, will result in significant changes in respect of water availability, e.g. the western side of the country is likely to experience significant reductions in the flow of streams in the region;
• Our biodiversity will be severely impacted, especially the grasslands, fynbos and succulent Karoo where a high level of extinction is predicted;
• Small scale and homestead farmers in dry lands are most vulnerable to climate change and although intensive irrigated agriculture is better off than these farmers, irrigated lands remain vulnerable to reductions in available water;
• Some predictions suggest that maize production in summer rainfall areas and fruit and cereal production in winter rainfall areas may be badly affected;
• Commercial forestry is vulnerable to an increased frequency of wildfires and changes in available water in south-western regions;
• Rangelands are vulnerable to bush encroachment which reduces grazing lands;
• Alien invasive plant species are likely to spread more and have an ever-increasing negative impact on water resources;
• Although strong trends have already been detected in our seas, including rising sea levels and the warming of the Agulhas current and parts of the Benguela, we are not yet sure what impacts these could have on our seas, the creatures living in the seas or on the communities dependant on the sea;
• Because of our already poor health profile, South Africans are specifically vulnerable to new or exacerbated health threats resulting from climate change. For example, some effects of climate change may already be occurring due to changes in rainfall (droughts and floods) and temperature extremes and Cholera outbreaks have been associated with extreme weather events, especially in poor, high density settlements;
• There will be an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Damage costs due to extreme weather-related events (flooding, fire, storms and drought) have already been conservatively estimated at being roughly 1 billion rand per year between 2000 and 200

Environ Event

SAWCC is hosting an exclusive event at the Elemis Day Spa on the 28th February 2012 in honour of a revolutionary skin care range called Environ.  The event will run from 6.30 to 8.30 and there will be complementary wine and nibbles.  Ladies will be introduced to this beautiful product, pampered with a mini facial and given a lovely goodie bag to take home with them.  To RSVP please contact michelle@burntoringe.com

A little about the product: NEW IN HONG KONG!!!!

Ever since Cleopatra took milk baths to preserve her beauty, it has been the quest of women to improve their skin and delay the effects of ageing. Men took a while longer to catch on but now more than ever the male market is realizing the importance of protecting and caring for their skins.
Many advertisements for skin care brands today make unsubstantiated claims of eternal youth, promoting fad ingredients that are made out to be miracle cures. Consumers are no longer fooled by glamorous photos of air-brushed celebrity beauties, but are looking for products that offer real results and a glowing, healthy radiance.
Environ’s vision has always been to make the best skin care in the world, through a philosophy of well researched, scientific skin care. Environ products are effective, proven, cost-effective and inspired through teamwork.
As a brand Environ values and performs extensive research and development to offer  consumers exceptional skin care products. Environ strives on integrity and keeping the meaningful promises Environ makes to their consumers by offering the most effective skin care range that science permits. The anti-aging properties of this unique range speaks for itself! – http://www.environ.co.za/

Wine Dinner

SAWCC are joining hands with The Women’s Foundation of Hong Kong to bring you an exclusive and tantalizing event on the 6th of June 2012!  TWF and SAWCC are celebrating the South African way and we’ll be teaming up with award winning vineyards and celebrity chef’s to bring you the best of SA in HK.  Event date and details to follow soon.

Queen’s Jubilee – Quintessentially Foundation

The Quintessentially Foundation and SAWCC are teaming up to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee anniversary in style.  We’re talking diamond sponsors, champagne, philharmonic orchestra’s – all things fit for a Queen!  More details to follow soon.

South African Women’s Chamber

of Commerce of Hong Kong

 The Mountain is coming to Mohammed…..

or the Islanders are dusting their passports and are visiting the ‘dark’ side …….

 The South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce

have not seen too many of the South Africans and friends in Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay area

and would like to call a convention of all parties relating to South Africa for a

glass of wine and a piece of Boerewors on the coals at the Plumbridge Residence!

 Date: Thursday November 3

Time: 19h30 – 22h00

Cost: HKD 150 per head

Address: 64 Sheung Sze Wan

Clearwater Bay

(there is NO parking so please come by taxi, and please continue down the single lane till you get to a large white house – WHITE HAZE)

 Honourable South African Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau – Namotemba Tambo, will be present to greet the people of Sai Kung ‘provence’!

Tembi Tambo is the Chairman and co-founder of the SAWCC of Hong Kong.

The cost of the evening we will cover with a variety of delicious finger food and free flowing wine – please contribute HK150 per head towards this joining of the ‘nations’

RSVP: (Please make your reservation by attached Reply Slip and payment before October 15, 2011)

By cheque: Please make cheques payable to “SAWCC of Hong Kong” and mail to SAWCC, 18th Floor, Wing Hing Commercial Building, 16 Sutherland Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Bank transfer: SAWCC account: HSBC 400-616454-838. Please e-mail a copy of the deposit slip to president@sawcchongkong.com before October 15.

Dutch Chamber of Commerce – CHINA SEMINAR

Please fill in your details and below and e-mail to president@sawcchongkong.com or contact us at             +852 27992332      

Registration options:
Qty Member / Non-member Ticket Price   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   Member ( incl dinner and drinks ) HK$ 750.00   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   Non-Member ( incl dinner and drinks ) HK$ 850.00

There are two set menu’s, please indicate clearly

Vegetarian OR

Non vegetarian

on the booking form

Payment methods:

Bank transfer to our HSBC A/C no: 808-815559-838 (The Dutch Chamber of Commerce inHong Kong,Suite5702, 57/F,

CheungKongCenter, 2 Queen’s Road Central, HK)

Send e-mail to president@sawcchongkong.com with a scanned in copy of this completed form or fax to +852 37533173

Cheques payable to “The Dutch Chamber of Commerce inHong Kong”

Notes: You will receive a confirmation after registration. Payments are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the Dutch Chamber. Cancellation must be made at least 48 hours prior the event by e-mail or telephone. No show will be charged the full amount.

The Consulate General of Nigeria Hong Kong and the Royal Commonwealth Society in Hong Kong are pleased to invite you to meet Ambassador (Dr.) Martin Uhomoibhi (Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria) on Wednesday, 19th October 2011 at the Ballroom of Island Shangri La Hotel, Hong Kong.

Cocktail reception will start at 6pm and Dr. Uhomoibhi will begin the lecture on “NIGERIA’S NEW FOREIGN POLICY: OBJECTIVES AND CHALLENGES” at 6.30pm.  Drinks and canapés will continued to be served following the lecture until 9pm.

By the generous support of the various sponsors to The Consulate General of Nigeria Hong Kong for this event, all booking cheques are for support of a chosen local charity selected by The Consulate General of Nigeria Hong Kong.  Guests will book by kindly sending in their cheques for a minimum donation amount per person of HK$300 to confirm their reservations.

More details will be sent out with the booking form at a later date.  Please mark your diary for this special event and email me NOW to reserve your space(s).  Seats are really limited!

We look forward to seeing you on 19^th October.

Best regards
Gigi Lam

Executive Secretary
The Royal Commonwealth Society, Hong Kong Branch

ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY
G.P.O. Box 11749
Hong Kong