Angola

Energy and Environment

In Angola, the protection of the environment and natural resources is constitutionally recognised as a duty of the State, which has the responsibility to formulate environmental strategies, policies and laws as well as engage in the international and national programmes that seek to protect the environment and promote sustainable use of natural resources. The Environmental Framework Law goes further by providing guiding principles for the prevention and combat of pollution, and standards to protect the environment. Angola has developed in the last decade comprehensive environmental legislation regarding water resources, petroleum, mines, and land, and have increased engagement with regional and international bodies and partners.

As a result, the UNDP Country Office has been also engaged in environment projects in Angola in the last few years and this continues to be a key area of intervention, not only because of the UNDP’s global strategic plan but also as a direct result of the Angolan State’s continued focus on this area. With two key projects engaged in natural resource management, the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management of the Okavango River Basin (EPMSO) and the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) and third project on Sustainable Land Management, the common thread is that all projects seek to build capacity of all the relevant stakeholders in protection the natural resources (Okavango river, Benguela Current, Land) as well as increase the benefits of these resources to the poorest populations.

Ongoing Projects (by MYFF Service Lines) 3. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Project ID Title 3.1 FRAMEWORKS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 00053536 Sustainable Development Network 3.5 CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY 00046510 Environmental Protection and Sustainable Management of the Okavango River Basin – EPSMO 00046510 Integrated Management of Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem – BCLME 00052416 Sustainable Land Management Capacity Building in Angola Governance of Water and sanitation in Angola's Poor Neighbourhoods

All of these projects engage various stakeholders including regional institutions such as OKACOM (Permanent Commission for the Okavango River), as well as different donors such as the Angolan Government and UNDP’s Global Environment Fund (GEF).

UNDP Country Office also supported the Angolan State in the drafting and definition of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 2007, which define various interventions and key activities including: research and information dissemination, education for sustainable development, biodiversity management in protected areas, institutional strengthening and the role of communities in bio-diversity management.

With continued engagement and close partnership with the Angolan State, international donors as well civil society, UNDP Angola will continue to strive to meet the MDG goals on environment as well as the UNDP 2008-2011 strategic plan.