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The 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) began in Durban today and will run for the next 2 weeks.

Since its inception on 1995, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has arranged the Conference of the Parties (COP) to meet annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change.

This year’s meet in particular is expected to generate a glut of headlines, with a number of celebrities due to fly in to the city next week.

Amongst the most high-profile visitors due to attend are Bono, Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Film star and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, ex-US vice-president Al Gore, Richard Branson and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg are also expected to make appearances.

Both DiCaprio and Gore are known for their outspoken views on climate change issues, with both having been involved with high-profile documentaries on the subject and various green campaigns.

ICC Durban – which will host the event – has been nominated as the World’s Leading Meeting & Conference Centre by the World Travel Awards.