The sixth special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) will address the theme 'Agenda 2030 and Paris Agreement: From policy to implementation in Africa'. The session opens with a two-day meeting of the expert group, followed by the ministerial segment on 18 and 19 April 2016. The objective of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for ministers and experts to deliberate on how to move forward with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as to assess the implications for Africa of the Paris agreement on Climate Change, especially in relation to the swift implementation of the African initiatives on Renewable Energy and Adaptation. Established in December 1985 following a conference of African ministers of environment held in Cairo, Egypt, AMCEN's mandate includes advocating for environmental protection in Africa and ensuring that: basic human needs are met adequately and in a sustainable manner; social and economic development is realized at all levels; and agricultural activities and practices meet the food security needs of the region. Regular sessions of AMCEN have been convened every second year since its inception. In addition, several special sessions have been convened in between regular sessions to consider specific issues of concern.  

dates: 16-19 April 2016  
location: Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt  
contact: David Ombisi, UNEP Regional Office for Africa  
e-mail: david.ombisi@unep.org  
www: http://web.unep.org/regions/roa/amcen/6specialsession/home