Go to Documents contents   Opening Ceremony of African Ministers Conference on Environment (AMCEN) on 10 June 2008

06 June 2008

Media Alert

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

FRIDAY, 06 JUNE 2008: Media is invited to the official opening ceremony of the 12th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) on Tuesday, 10 June 2008.

The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner will at the opening ceremony launch the “Africa: Atlas of our changing environment”. The Atlas is the first major publication to depict rapid environmental change in Africa’s countries using satellite imagery, and is a resource for remedial action at all levels.

The opening ceremony will be followed by a press conference on the findings of the African Atlas. Panelists will include Mr. Marthinus van Schalkwyk, SA Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr. Achim Steiner of UNEP and the experts who prepared the Atlas. Copies of the publication will be made available to journalists.

At this 12th Session of AMCEN, South Africa will be assuming the chair of AMCEN for the next two years. South Africa’s chairing of the AMCEN will provide an opportunity to raise the profile of global environmental issues in Africa as well as represent Africa at international environmental meetings.

AMCEN discussions at the 12th session will focus on the implementation of the Action Plan for the Environment Initiative of the NEPAD, developed by UNEP on behalf of AMCEN.

The conference will focus on climate change, financing adaptation in Africa and international environmental governance.

OPENING DETAILS:

DATE: Tuesday, 10 June 2008

TIME:  14H00

VENUE: Sandton Convention Centre

All media is invited to attend AMCEN:

RSVP:
Judith van der Merwe - 083 321 2617 / jvdmerwe@deat.gov.za
Roopa Singh – 082 225 3076 / rsingh@deat.gov.za

Media must arrive sufficiently in advance to allow time for the accreditation process. For accreditation purposes, media must please carry an identity / passport document.

To schedule interviews contact Roopa Singh on 082 225 3076

For further information on AMCEN access the link below: http://www.unep.org/roa/Amcen/Amcen_Events/12th_Session_AMCEN/index.asp

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------