The first plenary session or CODESA 1 was held on 20 to 21 December 1991, at the World Trade Centre, Johannesburg. Two judges, Piet Schabort and Ismail Mohamed were chosen to be co-chairs of the convention. 

The 19 South African organisations participating in CODESA 1 negotiations were entitled to a maximum of 12 delegates each. Five international organisations were invited to attend the plenary as observers. 

The first day of the plenary session consisted of a succession of speakers followed by the signing of the Declaration of Intent. All participating organisations signed with the exception of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The IFP later signed the Declaration of Intent after edits were made to the Declaration of Intent and further delegates to represent traditional leadership were added to CODESA.

During the second day of CODESA 1, comments were delivered on the Declaration of Intent, five working groups were appointed and the decisions on what items the working groups should negotiate were defined and accepted.  The Management Committee replaced the Steering Committee, and a new Secretariat was elected for CODESA 2.