From November 28 to December 9 2011, LEAD Africa joined participants from around the world in Durban, Republic of South Africa for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) and the 7th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP7).The event brought together representatives from the world's governments, international organizations and civil society.

LEAD Africa hosted an exhibition stand throughout the event within the Africa Pavilion - a dedicated discussion and exhibition area for Africa put in place by the African Union Commission, The African Development Bank and The Republic of South Africa. The exhibition material at the LEAD booth attracted a number of visitors and it also served as a meeting place for LEAD Fellows attending COP 17. Popular exhibits included the Bakel film titled 'Where we used to fish, we now grow food' and a video on 'African Leadership on Climate Change in Africa.'

LEAD Africa also organized 'COP Live 2011' – a series of live skype conversations between COP delegates and interested parties in Malawi, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Staff members provided updates on COP proceedings to the LEAD Network through the daily 'LEAD Express' newsletter, which is now available on the LEAD International website - http://www.lead.org/news/latest-news