UN Environment Programme Executive Director Statement on Paris Agreement Signing

New York, 22 April, 2016 - UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner released the following statement on the occasion of the opening day for the signing of the Paris Agreement:

"In Paris, the world's nations agreed that climate change is a threat to planetary well-being. Having over 160 countries sign the Paris Agreement in New York on its opening day is proof positive that the world is committed to a global response to this threat.

Africa declares all-out war on energy poverty

By Atayi Babs

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has declared its resolve to eliminate energy poverty in the continent of Africa.

AMCEN President & UNEP Rep at the plenary (PHOTO: PAMACC/Atayi Babs)

Addressing a high-level panel comprising African ministers of the environment and heads of country delegations at the ongoing 6th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Cairo today, the AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina revealed that over 645 million Africans have no access to electricity and have become accustomed to living in darkness.

Represented by Prof. Anthony Nyong, the AfDB president decried the fact that over 600,000 women and children in Africa die each year from indoor smoke inhalations while trying to prepare meals for their families.  According to him, the brakes being applied on Africa's development by the obvious lack of energy leaves the AfDB with no choice than to declare an all-out war against energy poverty in Africa.

Nigeria lobbies AMCEN for UNEA Vice Presidency

Alh. Usman Jibril, Nigeria's Minister of state, Environment
(PHOTO: PAMACC/Atayi Babs)

By Atayi Babs

Nigeria's aspiration for the vice presidency of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) received a major boost today as the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was officially informed today.

Speaking to over 40 Ministers of the environment and heads of country delegations at the 6th special session of the conference in Cairo today, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Nigeria's Minister of state for Environment who represented the senior minister, expressed the country's delight to present Mrs. Amina Mohammed for nomination as one of the two Vice Presidents from Africa on the bureau of the UNEA 2.

Africa must decentralise renewable energy initiatives - Civil society groups

By Sellina Nkowani

CAIRO, Egypt (PAMACC News) - African Civil Society Organisations have called for the need to decentralize renewable energy and make it people centered.

The CSOs echoed their voices today at the sidelines of the sixth special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) holding in Cairo, Egypt.

In his remarks during the presentations on Post-Paris conversations on climate change, renewable energy, energy transformation and access in Africa, Mithika Mwenda who represents millions of African farmers, women and youth groups under the umbrella of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance urged African governments to work towards ensuring that energy is decentralized and not concentrated on urban areas only.

Africa’s Rich Natural Capital, Paris Agreement top Agenda as AMCEN begins

The need to sustainably harness Africa’s vast reserves of natural capital and the implications of the Paris Agreement dominated today's  technical  session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Cairo, Egypt

Attended by the ministers of the environment and high-level officials from more than 40 African countries, the sixth special session of the AMCEN explores the theme: "Agenda 2030 and Paris Agreement: From policy to implementation in Africa".

Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment of Egypt and President of AMCEN, said: “Egypt is proud to host the sixth special session of the AMCEN in Cairo at this important moment in time. The continent stands to determine its development priorities in the context of the sustainable development goals. It is crucial for us to clearly define common priorities and the means to achieve our objectives at the regional and national levels.

Paris COP 21 outcome on finance, a diversion from the UN Convention – Civil Society

By Isaiah Esipisu

CAIRO, Egypt (PAMACC News) - Members of the African Civil Society attending the African Ministerial Conference Environment in Cairo, Egypt have observed that the outcome of the 21^st Conference of Parties (COP 21) on finance evidently walks away from the original United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) developed country parties commitments.

Under the UNFCCC’s article 4.3, the convection clearly provides that developed county Parties and other developed Parties included in Annex II shall provide new and additional financial resources to meet the agreed full costs incurred by developing country parties in complying with their obligations with regard to steps taken to implement the convention.

UNEP & African civil society begin Post-Paris consultations in Cario

By Atayi Babs

CAIRO, Egypt (PAMACC News) - Ahead of the sixth special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) scheduled for the 16th-19th April 2016, civil society consultations on the Paris agreement and the 2030 Agenda began this morning in Cairo, the Egyptian capital.

Organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in collaboration with Major Groups and Stakeholders Forums, the Post-Paris workshop aspires to interrogate the overall African performance in COP21, the Paris Agreement, and its implications for Africa in the short and long-term development agenda.

Le Togo veut inverser durablement la dégradation des terres

Par Gabriel Adonou 

 Une vaste campagne de formation de neuf cents acteurs de l’administration publique, notamment de l’agriculture de l’environnement et des acteurs de la société civile a été lancée ce 12 avril 2016 à Tové environ 120 km de Lomé.