Africa’s environment ministers convene in Nairobi amid push for bold climate, forest, plastics action

The 20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20) officially opened in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

The event, hosted by the government of the State of Libya at the United Nations headquarters, also marked the 40th anniversary of AMCEN.

The AMCEN-20 conference focuses on accelerating regional cooperation on deforestation, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, climate finance, and environmental justice.

The ministerial segment joined Africa continent ministers to engage in policy and are expected to agree on a political declaration and decisions related to Africa's common positions for upcoming international environment meetings.

On the sidelines of the conference, ministers were challenged to deliver bold action on plastics, climate justice and forest protection, uphold commitments and resist industry pressure at the crucial continental meeting.

A non-governmental organization which follows closely on the engagements believe that the meeting marks a defining moment for Africa’s unified voice on environmental policy, bringing together ministers from all 54 African countries at a time when decisive action on plastic pollution, climate justice and biodiversity loss is urgent.

Civil society organizations have urged ministers to prioritize upholding the strong plastics treaty commitment to reaffirm the visionary leadership demonstrated at AMCEN-19, which called for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty addressing pollution across its entire lifecycle.

With negotiations expected to enter a critical phase at INC-5 in Geneva this August, CBOs believe that any retreat from Africa's strong position would undermine the continent's unified voice and environmental goals.

Hellen Dena, Project Lead, Pan African Plastic Project at Greenpeace Africa, says that the plastic pollution crisis is disproportionately affecting African communities.

“From open burning and illegal waste dumping in low-income communities, to the health threats of microplastics and toxic chemicals, it is often the most vulnerable that bear the brunt of this crisis. AMCEN must resist industry pressure and maintain its call for plastics production caps in the Global Plastics Treaty,” stated Dena.

Currently the ‘Make polluters pay’ narrative has escalated with new polling data revealing public support for making oil and gas corporations pay for climate damage.

A Greenpeace-Oxfam study shows 81% of respondents across 13 African countries support taxes on fossil fuel companies to fund climate recovery, including 85% in Kenya and 80% in South Africa.

According to Sherelee Odayar, an oil and gas campaigner; "AMCEN must champion reparations for climate damages and ensure that those who profited most from environmental destruction contribute to addressing the damage.

This is not just environmental policy but a matter of justice for communities suffering the worst climate impacts."

As deforestation accelerates across the continent, AMCEN is under pressure to commit to the implementation of deforestation action plans that center indigenous peoples and local communities with direct access to finance and recognition of their rights.

Dr Lamfu Yengong, Greenpeace Africa’s Lead Forest Campaigner, said: “African forests are being decimated while those who have protected them for generations are sidelined. AMCEN must ensure direct finance and recognition of the rights of the indigenous peoples and local communities who are the most effective guardians of our biodiversity.”

AMCEN's outcomes will directly shape Africa's positions at major international forums, including INC 5.2, COP 30, and UNEA 7.

Conservation and environmental stakeholders maintain that unity across the African continent is essential to ensure that in future African priorities are not compromised in global negotiations.

AMCEN20 engagements is expected to come to a close in Nairobi on July 18 with various agreements expected.