The twelfth Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) convenes from 7-12 June 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the theme "Enhancing the implementation of the action plan for the environment initiative of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)." AMCEN-12 provides a forum for African environment ministers to address the emerging environmental challenges in Africa, particularly those related to climate change and adaptation, and international environmental governance. This Institutional History report places AMCEN-12 in the broader context of decision making for environment and development in Africa. It focuses on how Africa's intergovernmental bodies and Africa's development partners are supporting sustainable development in Africa. The report provides a historical overview of AMCEN, including its many milestone decisions and programs, as well as an overview of NEPAD. The report also provides an overview of key meetings,
decisions and declarations on environment and development as they relate to the key AMCEN priorities of: Africa's development needs; biodiversity and wildlife management; climate change; chemicals management; and desertification, food security and land.
