Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries – Phase III (ACP MEAs 3)

Dhërmi Beach
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Project Overview

The African, Caribbean and Pacific Multilateral Environmental Agreements Programme (ACP MEAs)  ACP MEAs Programme is a partnership initiative of the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its overarching objective is to strengthen the capacity of 79 ACP countries to implement Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) effectively, linking global commitments to local action, enhancing environmental governance, and improving compliance. The programme helps countries address pressing environmental challenges while also realising the benefits of stronger environmental governance at both national and regional levels. 

Since its launch in 2009, the programme has evolved through three phases. The first focused on building capacity to respond to threats such as climate change, biodiversity loss, drought, land degradation, and hazardous waste. The second built on these achievements by deepening support in two key areas: biodiversity, and chemicals and waste management. The current phase, ACP MEAs III (2020–2024), continues this work with a stronger emphasis on four priority areas: 

  • Environmental Governance: strengthening institutions and individual capacities to support effective decision-making and policy implementation.
  • Support MEAs: enhancing compliance with and enforcement of biodiversity-related and chemicals and waste agreements.
  • Ocean governance: improving the management and safeguarding of marine resources and strengthening regional seas conservations.
  • Agriculture: integrating biodiversity and sound chemicals and waste management into agricultural practices.

To deliver results, the programme works closely with regional partners: the African Union Commission (AUC), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). It also supports and collaborates with the Abidjan, Nairobi, Cartagena, and Noumea Conventions. Beyond the ACP regions, the programme shares expertise, promotes negotiation training, and facilitates cross-regional exchange of knowledge and experience. 

In the Wider Caribbean, the programme is led by UNEP’s Cartagena Convention Secretariat/Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP), working with 15 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

ACP MEAs III, advances three priority objectives: 

  1. improving enforcement and compliance with biodiversity and chemicals/waste-related MEAs,
  2. strengthening the management of coasts and oceans through Regional Seas Conventions, and
  3. mainstreaming biodiversity and sustainable chemicals/waste practices into agriculture. This phase emphasises cross-sectoral collaboration and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Objectives 

Capacity building: Strengthen the ability of ACP countries to implement biodiversity, chemicals, and waste-related MEAs effectively.

  • Support to ministries, agencies, and local authorities to fulfil MEA obligations.
  • Training workshops and technical assistance for officials and stakeholders.
  • Tools and resources to improve environmental monitoring and reporting.

Regional frameworks: Support regional hubs and institutions that provide coordinated guidance and technical support to countries.

  • Cross-sectoral collaboration: Encourage integrated action across sectors to ensure MEAs are Establishment of regional hubs that coordinate MEA implementation.
  • Strengthening collaboration among regional organisations (e.g., CARICOM, SPREP, AUC).
  • Facilitating knowledge exchange across ACP regions for shared solutions.

Implemented in a complementary and sustainable way.

  • Linking biodiversity, chemicals, and waste management to agriculture, fisheries, and health.
  • Encouraging cooperation between ministries (environment, agriculture, trade, etc.).
  • Ensuring environmental policies contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Knowledge management: Foster participatory planning, knowledge management, and capacity-building to improve compliance and long-term results.

  • Promoting participatory planning with governments, civil society, and communities.
  • Creating digital knowledge platforms and resource libraries.
  • Building long-term technical expertise through training and mentoring.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1 – No Poverty

  • Supports poverty reduction through sustainable resource use.
  • By strengthening environmental governance and sustainable agriculture, the programme helps ACP countries safeguard natural resources that communities depend on for livelihoods.

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

  • Promotes sustainable agriculture and food security.
  • Mainstreaming biodiversity and chemicals management into agriculture reduces harmful practices, improves soil and water health, and supports resilient food systems.

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

  • Reduces health risks from pollution and chemicals.
  • Improved chemicals and waste management lowers exposure to hazardous substances, protecting human health in rural and urban communities.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

  • Contributes to cleaner freshwater and marine ecosystems.
  • By reducing pollution and marine litter, ACP MEAs 3 enhances water quality and supports ecosystem services essential for clean water.

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

  • Encourages safe and sustainable resource management.
  • The programme advances sound chemicals and waste practices, including minimising hazardous waste, promoting recycling, and reducing unsustainable consumption patterns.

SDG 13 – Climate Action

  • Builds resilience to climate-related challenges.
  • Strengthened biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-based management, and waste reduction all contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

SDG 14 – Life Below Water

  • Improves protection of coasts and oceans.
  • Activities under Regional Seas Conventions strengthen marine protected areas, combat marine litter, and safeguard biodiversity in ACP waters.

SDG 15 – Life on Land

  • Conserves biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • The programme supports conservation of species and habitats, reduces land degradation, and promotes sustainable land management practices.

SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Strengthens environmental governance frameworks.
  • By building institutional capacity, improving compliance, and promoting participatory governance, ACP MEAs 3 fosters transparency and accountability in environmental management.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

  • Promotes collaboration at national, regional, and global levels.
  • Through partnerships with the EU, UNEP, FAO, OACPS, regional organisations, and MEA secretariats, the programme enhances cooperation and resource sharing to achieve global sustainability targets.

 

ACP MEA table
     

Project Documents

Project Newsletters

Outputs

Project Videos

  • Ocean Governance in the Wider Caribbean: Lessons from ACP MEAs III
  • Kazuhiko Seriu’s Heartfelt Thanks to UNEP Partners & Donors | ACP MEAs III Recap

Events

 

CEP was established in 1981 as part of the Regional Seas Programme in recognition of the importance and value of the Wider Caribbean Region’s fragile and vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems including endemic plants and animals.

© United Nations Environment Programme