The head of the South African delegation for?Durban climate talks?emphasised the need for a successful outcome to the conference in protecting the continent against coastal flooding.

"COP17 must provide opportunity for both South Africa and the African continent to ensure that Climate Change and associated changes in climate patterns do not threaten development," Ms Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, said?on Tuesday at a national summit in Durban ahead of COP17.

Current projections indicate that by 2080 about 70million people and up to 30% of Africa 's coastal infrastructure could face the risk of coastal flooding because of sea level rise, putting at risk the development strides that the continent has achieved in the last decade

"South Africa is carrying the hopes and aspirations of Africa and the developing world to succeed in keeping the Kyoto Protocol as part of future climate regime, as we negotiate an outcome of the negotiations under the conventions. A global response presents an opportunity for Africa to further its sustainable development objectives, "said Molewa.