It was time to take stock as NEPAD and AMCEN convened for the first time, the African Partnership Platform for the Environment, held from the 20th to 21st of September 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme chosen to enrich the exchanges was “50 years of environmental governance and protection of the environment in Africa”. The objective of the meeting was to assess the choices made in Africa in terms of the implementation of environmental policies and programmes.
The review that should enable a better positioning to ensure a more sustainable tomorrow for future generations, and that is in line with the objectives of sustainable development and the Agenda 2063 for Africa. For the Kenyan Minister of Environment, the platform is a unique opportunity for African states to put environmental issues at the top of their institutional agenda through multi-stakeholder engagement; a vision shared by the NEPAD agency, co-initiator of this project. According to its Director of Programmes Esthérine Lisinge-Fotabong, “The objective of this platform is to open a space for inclusive dialogue, sharing and replication of best practices and monitoring of interventions in sustainable environmental management.”
Strong resolutions for greater effectiveness in the field
Five points were identified at the end of this meeting. They will serve as a guideline to improve African public action in environmental protection. Leaders will need to convene the AEPP more regularly; at the meetings, they will need to draw on the successes of other countries to improve their environmental practices and make them more sustainable. NEPAD will need to work closely with the AU Commission and other partners to better lead and mentor countries in the implementation of national environmental programmes. In this context, it will be necessary, in particular, to “strengthen capacities to implement and monitor progress in the implementation of the environmental action plan, the objectives for sustainable development and Agenda 2063.” The participants also resolved to strengthen the capacity and financing of environmental projects, to seek mechanisms to be put in place to obtain financing. The leaders will also discuss “Establishing an inclusive mechanism for all platform stakeholders to monitor progress in the implementation of environmental programmes and projects on the continent.” Finally, gender and youth considerations will be further integrated into environmental activities across the continent.
Luchelle Feukeng