Report of the Secretariat for the Period 1 July 2010 to 31 August 2012

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. AMCEN gives guidance in respect of key political events, regional policies and initiatives related to the environment, including implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and regional agreements. AMCEN holds its ordinary sessions once every two or three years. The UNEP Regional Office for Africa serves as the secretariat for AMCEN.