The preparatory meeting for the establishment of the "African Clean Cities Platform" was held in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, for three days from 25 to 27 April 2017.About 150 participants from central and local governments from 24 African countries, Japan's Ministry of Environment, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Yokohama City, private companies and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) endorsed the unanimously the inauguration of the "African Clean Cities Platform" on 27 April, the last day of the meeting.

On the first day, officials from the Maputo Municipality, who are members of JICA's technical cooperation project, "Project to Promote Sustainable 3R Activities in Maputo", shared the results and knowledge gained from the project.The Municipality of Maputo and the Government of Mozambique presented other efforts related to solid waste management (SWM).During the debate, participants discussed improving the efficiency of waste collection systems, the financial sustainability of SCM and approaches to promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle).

On the second day, a problem identification and analysis workshop was organized on SLM issues in Africa by dividing participants into three groups.In the afternoon, JICA presented the initial draft plan of the platform and participants discussed it.

On the third day, the kick-off session took place, and the final draft of the initial plan and the Maputo Declaration based on the results of the second day's discussion was announced.Participants concluded the meeting by expressing their determination to address SLM issues in Africa through the platform.

Location: Hotel Avenida, Maputo, Mozambique

Language: English, Portuguese and French (with simultaneous interpretation)

Co-organizers: Maputo Municipality, Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER) of Mozambique, Ministry of Environment of Japan, JICA, UNEP, UN-Habitat

Co-Presidents: Mr. Celso Ismael CORREIA, Minister, Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development of Mozambique Mr. Tadahiko ITO, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment of Japan Mr. David SIMANGO, President of the Municipal Council, Maputo Municipality, Mozambique