What is the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN)?
AMCEN is the continent’s highest political body for environmental policy and cooperation. It brings together all 54 African countries to coordinate action on environmental challenges and shape common positions in global negotiations.
When was AMCEN established?
AMCEN was created in December 1985 following a meeting of African ministers of environment in Cairo, Egypt.
Who are the members of AMCEN?
All 54 African Union member states are full members of the Conference.
How often does AMCEN meet?
AMCEN holds ordinary sessions every two years, with special sessions convened when urgent matters arise.
What is the Bureau of AMCEN?
The Bureau is an elected body of five ministers—one from each African subregion—tasked with overseeing the implementation of AMCEN decisions and coordinating activities between sessions.
Why does AMCEN matter?
Africa faces urgent environmental threats—climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and pollution—that directly impact health, food security, and economic growth. AMCEN enables countries to work together on regional solutions and present a united front in international forums.
How is AMCEN funded?
AMCEN is primarily funded through a Trust Fund, established in 1991 and supported by voluntary contributions from member states and development partners. The fund helps finance the operations of the Conference, including its sessions, activities, and the implementation of agreed programmes. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as the Secretariat, manages the Trust Fund and ensures transparent and effective use of resources in line with AMCEN’s mandate.
What is UNEA, and how is AMCEN connected to it?
The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, bringing together all 193 UN Member States. AMCEN works with UNEP to ensure Africa speaks with one voice at UNEA, influencing global environmental policy in line with regional priorities.
How are AMCEN sessions related to the various COPs (Conferences of the Parties)?
AMCEN sessions play a crucial role in preparing Africa for major multilateral environmental negotiations, including the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to global agreements such as the UNFCCC (climate change), CBD (biodiversity), and Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (chemicals and waste).
During its sessions, AMCEN helps develop common African positions, align national and regional priorities, and build political consensus across member states. These positions are then carried forward by the African Group of Negotiators at the respective COPs, ensuring that Africa speaks with a united and influential voice on the global stage
Who else participates in AMCEN beyond governments?
In addition to ministers and government officials, AMCEN actively engages civil society, youth, Indigenous Peoples, women, farmers, workers, researchers, and the private sector—all participating under the Africa Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) structure to ensure inclusive and representative decision-making.
What are some major achievements of AMCEN?
AMCEN has played a central role in shaping Africa’s positions on climate finance, biodiversity, chemicals and waste management, and global treaty negotiations—such as the ongoing development of a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
Who serves as the Secretariat of AMCEN?
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through its Regional Office for Africa, serves as the Secretariat of AMCEN. UNEP provides technical, strategic, and logistical support to the Conference and its Bureau, manages the AMCEN Trust Fund, and ensures alignment with Africa’s broader sustainable development goals.
