The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) is hosting environmental policy meeting in Cairo from December 3-5, 2024. This event marks the second roundtable of the African Forum of Environment Protection Agencies (AFEPA), bringing together key players in African environmental policy to explore pressing issues and promote sustainable solutions across the continent.
Strengthening Africa’s Environmental Framework
The roundtable will unite heads of Environment Protection Agencies (EPAs), directors of environment departments from across Africa, and a diverse array of international and regional experts. Attendees will engage in high-level technical discussions, exchange actionable insights, and collaboratively explore ways to address Africa’s most urgent environmental challenges. With environmental protection at the forefront, this event will work to strengthen Africa’s institutional frameworks and capacity for sustainable environmental governance.
UNEP and CEDARE Host Landmark Environmental Roundtable in Cairo to Tackle Africa’s Environmental Challenges
The Regional Office for Africa of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the Sustainability in Africa Programme of the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), is hosting the second roundtable of the African Forum of Environmental Protection Agencies (AFEPA) from December 3 to 5, 2024. The event is being held in Cairo and brings together top environmental leaders and experts from across Africa to collaborate on solutions for the continent’s most pressing environmental issues.
Key Leaders Attend the AFEPA Roundtable
Among the distinguished attendees are Khaled Fahmy, Executive Director of CEDARE; Ahmed Abdel Rahim, Senior Technical Advisor and Regional Director of the Knowledge Management Programme at CEDARE; Faustine Munyazikwe, President’s Representative of the African Environmental Protection Association; Rose Mwebaza, Director and Regional Representative of the UNEP Africa Office; and various heads of environmental protection agencies and environmental department directors from African nations.
The event serves as a critical platform for stakeholders to engage in high-level technical discussions, exchange knowledge, and develop actionable solutions that address Africa’s diverse environmental challenges.
Minister Yasmine Fouad Highlights the Role of Science in Policy Development
Opening the roundtable, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, stressed the importance of integrating scientific knowledge into policymaking to better address the continent’s environmental challenges. She highlighted the role of data and scientific studies in identifying solutions and opportunities for Africa’s environment, noting that it is essential to tailor global environmental policies to meet the specific needs of African nations.
One of the key areas she pointed to was the energy sector, emphasizing the need for a just transition to renewable energy. The Minister showcased Egypt’s ongoing efforts to expand the use of renewable energy, including the introduction of a feed-in tariff system for renewable energy since 2016 and subsequent adjustments to encourage private sector involvement.
Fouad also addressed the challenges posed by climate change to Egypt’s natural resources, particularly coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba, which have been identified as some of the most resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change. In response, Egypt is pioneering a new initiative aimed at protecting its natural resources, including the establishment of the Great Coast, a protected area for Egypt’s entire Red Sea coastline. This decision follows extensive consultations with stakeholders to protect the coral reefs and coastal ecosystems from the impacts of development and population growth.
CEDARE’s Role in Advancing Environmental Data Sharing
As a key partner in the event, CEDARE is playing a leading role in the development of a digital platform for environmental data sharing. Ahmed Abdel Rahim, Senior Technical Advisor at CEDARE, called the roundtable a milestone in harmonizing environmental policies across Africa, enhancing institutional capacities, and fostering sustainable development. The digital platform aims to streamline data sharing and improve collaboration among environmental protection agencies, which is vital for tackling transboundary challenges like climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss.
“Africa is facing numerous interconnected environmental challenges, and most of them transcend national borders,” said Asanteni Sana, Deputy Director General of Rwanda’s Environment Management Authority (REMA) and Chair of AFEPA. “This forum provides an opportunity for African countries to unite their efforts and work together to address these pressing issues.”
Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Environmental Diplomacy
The AFEPA roundtable is part of broader efforts to strengthen Africa’s collective environmental governance and enhance the continent’s influence in international environmental diplomacy. As the second roundtable continues, it will focus on revising AFEPA’s strategic action plan to reflect evolving priorities and ensure the continued integration of scientific evidence into policy and decision-making processes.
The African Forum of Environmental Protection Agencies aims to provide a coordinated response to a wide array of environmental challenges, with an emphasis on regional collaboration. By fostering greater peer learning, knowledge exchange, and shared action plans, AFEPA hopes to strengthen Africa’s environmental policies and create a unified voice in global discussions on climate change and sustainability.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Africa’s Environmental Leadership
As this roundtable concludes, the participants will return to their respective countries with renewed commitment to advancing environmental protection and sustainable development in Africa. The launch of the AFEPA digital platform, along with the development of strategic action plans and continued collaboration, positions the forum as a key player in shaping the future of Africa’s environmental governance.
The event also underscores Egypt’s growing leadership in regional environmental diplomacy and its commitment to sustainable development, highlighted by the country’s pioneering efforts in renewable energy and environmental protection. By addressing both immediate environmental concerns and long-term sustainability goals, AFEPA continues to provide an essential framework for environmental cooperation across the African continent.
The second roundtable of the African Forum of Environmental Protection Agencies in Cairo marks a significant step in strengthening Africa’s environmental governance. By integrating science with policy, launching innovative platforms for data sharing, and fostering regional cooperation, AFEPA is shaping the future of environmental sustainability in Africa. This collaboration not only positions Africa to address its unique environmental challenges but also ensures that the continent plays a pivotal role in global environmental decision-making.
This meeting is particularly significant as it builds upon the success of AFEPA’s inaugural gathering in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023. Established under the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), AFEPA is a crucial platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation among African environmental bodies. The roundtable in Cairo will continue to deepen this collaboration, fostering better synergy among regional and national entities dedicated to environmental protection.
The Launch of a Digital Platform for Environmental Data Sharing
One of the key features of this Cairo meeting is the official launch of a groundbreaking digital platform for environmental data sharing. This platform is poised to revolutionize how environmental data is collected, analyzed, and shared among African nations. By facilitating real-time data exchange, the platform will improve communication, networking, and the integration of scientific evidence into policymaking processes.
The goal is to enhance the decision-making capacity of environmental protection agencies, thereby driving more informed, data-driven policies across the continent. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as Africa faces challenges ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and resource depletion. By enhancing data sharing, the platform will enable better coordination of environmental monitoring efforts and foster more effective policy enforcement.
Expanding Regional Cooperation
In addition to the digital platform, the Cairo meeting will delve into strategies for improving regional cooperation on environmental monitoring, enforcement, and compliance. As the African continent grapples with increasingly complex environmental threats, the need for cohesive, multilateral efforts is more pressing than ever. The roundtable will revisit AFEPA’s strategic blueprint and action plan to ensure it reflects the current landscape and emerging environmental priorities.
“We are entering a pivotal moment in Africa’s environmental journey,” said Ahmed Abdelrehim, CEDARE’s Chief Technical Advisory and Knowledge Management Programme Director. “This roundtable will help to harmonize policies across the continent, strengthen institutional capacities, and build a solid foundation for sustainable development. CEDARE is proud to play a central role in the development of the AFEPA digital platform and in facilitating this critical event.”
Collaborative Action for Sustainable Development
The anticipated outcomes of this roundtable include the strengthening of collaboration between African EPAs and diplomats, expanding peer learning opportunities, and enhancing frameworks for environmental diplomacy.
This event underscores Africa’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development. As the continent continues to face environmental challenges, AFEPA offers a vital platform for united action, focusing on solutions that drive both local and regional progress.
With the launch of the AFEPA digital platform and the renewed focus on cross-border cooperation, this roundtable will significantly contribute to advancing Africa’s environmental goals. It also aligns with broader international efforts to integrate science and data into policymaking, ensuring a future where environmental sustainability is prioritized and pursued through collective action.
