The first-ever roundtable meeting of Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies and Directors of Environment in Africa (EPAs) has elected Rwanda to chair the platform in Africa.

The two-day meeting, held in Kigali from March 7 to 8, 2023, was organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

Rwanda was elected chair of the platform, Gabon as vice chair, Zambia as rapporteur, and Niger as a member of the bureau.

Participants at the roundtable also adopted the blueprint for EPAs platform structure, mechanisms, and operational modalities.

The discussions on the need for the Platform of Environmental Protection Agencies, organised by the Africa Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), were held in May 2022.

The lack of collaboration resulted in missed opportunities for EPAs to participate in the regional and global environmental discourse and benefit from the sharing of good practices in addressing common and continental environmental challenges.

The platform was suggested by the Africa Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) held in September 2022 in Dakar, Senegal

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"We are glad that the EPA roundtable has been a success. The resolutions taken at the meeting will help us work together to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste,” said Juliet Kabera, Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority.

The platform aims to share experiences, knowledge exchange, and best practices, enhance science to policy interface, mobilise partnerships, and address technical and operational challenges.

In addition, the decision urges member states to support environmental protection agencies in implementing decisions and resolutions adopted at regional and global levels.