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Media Alert
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
MONDAY, 09 JUNE 2008:
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will officially open the 12th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) on Tuesday, 10 June 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
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 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. 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.
For an update of daily proceedings click on the link below :http://www.iisd.ca/africa/amcen/amcen12/
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
Background
The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was established in December 1985, following a conference of African ministers of environment held in Cairo, Egypt . Its mandate is to provide advocacy for environmental protection in Africa; to ensure that basic human needs are met adequately and in a sustainable manner; to ensure that social and economic development is realized at all levels; and to ensure that agricultural activities and practices meet the food security needs of the region
For further information on AMCEN access the link below: http://www.unep.org/roa/Amcen/Amcen_Events/12th_Session_AMCEN/index.asp
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