Nairobi, 11 September 2017- The President of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) called upon African countries to put the environment at the heart of their national development plans during his two-day visit to the UN Environment Headquarters.
H.E. Mr. Pacôme Moubelet-Boubeya, Minister of Forest, Sea and Environment of The Republic of Gabon and President of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment and his team were received by Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment and Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, Director and Regional Representative of Africa Office.
Mr. Moubelet-Boubeya said that the environment is key to the achievement of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. He reiterated that the UN Environment Assembly is the right forum to bring challenges that are facing Africa to the attention of the world.
“We are committed to make the next Assembly a success for the interest of our African Nations,” says Mr. Moubelet-Boubeya.
The President of AMCEN also met with the Nairobi-based African Diplomatic Corps and representatives to UN Environment. He was briefed on the African environmental agenda as well as interests and challenges.
“We need to speak with one voice to be heard at UN Environment Assembly and other international environmental key fora,” said the President. “To be able to make significant contribution and impact, we have to be well prepared and present at the next Assembly,” he told the African Diplomatic Corps in Nairobi.
Mr. Moubelet-Boubeya also met with the Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, H.E John Moreti, High Commissioner of Botswana, who briefed him on the resolutions that the African countries intend to present to the Assembly.
Prior to his appointment as Minister of Forest, Sea and Environment, Mr. Moubelet-Boubeya occupied different high-ranking positions in his Government. He was the Minister of Education, Minister of Interior and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gabon.
Gabon has been leading on conservation and the fight against wildlife crimes in Africa. The Gabonese President, H.E Ali Bongo Ondimba is a founding member of the Giant Club, a forum that brings together African Heads of State, global business leaders and elephant protection experts to secure Africa’s elephant populations and the landscapes they depend on. Mr. Bongo is also the current Coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).
About the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN)
The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was established in December 1985. Its mandate is to provide advocacy for environmental protection in Africa; to ensure that basic human needs are met adequately and in a sustainable manner; to ensure that social and economic development is realized at all levels; and to ensure that agricultural activities and practices meet the food security needs of the region.
Gabon has taken over the presidency of AMCEN from Egypt for the next two years.
About The UN Environment Assembly:
The UN Environment Assembly, the world's highest-level decision-making body on the environment, will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, from 4-6 December 2017 under the overarching theme of pollution.
For more information, please contact: Mohamed Atani, Regional Information Officer for Africa. Email: mohamed.atani@unep.org – Tel: +254 727531253.
