AMCEN is the leading regional intergovernmental forum for environmental issues in Africa. AMCEN is a network of ministers responsible for environment in Africa; UNEP serves as the Secretariat of AMCEN.
Established in 1985, AMCEN provides a forum in which the Ministers can exchange views and reach consensus on issues of common concern among policymakers in all socio-economic sectors at the national, sub-regional, regional, and global levels. AMCEN promotes African programmes and policies relating to the environment and sustainable development, with an aim toward harmonising approaches within the region. It fosters dialogue on environmental issues in order to reach consensus (where possible) and to develop African common positions on global issues relating to environment and development. As such, AMCEN seeks to strengthen Africa’s participation in global dialogues, negotiations, and actions addressing environment and sustainable development.
Before a number of global MEA meetings and negotiations, AMCEN has convened preparatory meetings. These preparatory meetings provide an opportunity to exchange information, identify priority issues, and develop common negotiating positions for the upcoming meetings. For example, in October 2002 AMCEN held an African preparatory meeting in Nairobi, Kenya before COP8 of the UNFCCC. At the conclusion of the meeting, the participating States made recommendations and requests to the Parties, UNEP, and the UNFCCC secretariat. Similarly, in 2000, AMCEN met to consult African delegations to the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests in New York and develop a common African position on various issues that would be negotiated regarding international arrangements and mechanisms for forests.
Further more information, see http://www.unep.org/ROA/amcen/about.asp or contact Peter.Acquah@unep.org