The meeting brought together representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Energy for Development (EfD) Programme and the Malawi Higher Education Institutions Network on Climate Change Learning (MHEINCCL).

The discussions focused on how Malawian universities can support capacity development by providing accredited professional training in ESIA for government officials, environmental practitioners and other professionals working in the sector.

The initiative builds on an existing World Bank-supported academic consortium on ESIA and environmental and social audits, which has trained university lecturers and provided professional ESIA training.

UNEP is also exploring opportunities to adapt EfD training materials into professional short courses, initially focusing on hydropower and solar energy projects and their environmental and social safeguards.

The meeting further discussed implementation of the National State of Environment and Outlook Report (NSEOR). Participants emphasized the need to address the root causes of environmental degradation and make effective use of existing tools and approaches.

On the integration of ESIA into renewable energy projects, participants agreed that further consultations would be conducted before implementation.

MHEINCCL comprises the University of Malawi, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MUBAS, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Mzuzu University and Catholic University of Malawi.

MUBAS is represented on the network by Professor Ishmael Kosamu and Dr Chikumbusko Kaonga.