The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) decided and recommended the establishment of Eight Regional Technical Cooperation Networks on environment and ecodevelopment in Africa during their meeting in Cairo, Egypt, in December 1985. Paramount among the decisions and recommendation made in establishing the Networks were: Cooperation among the technical and research institutions of African States should be strengthened and developed through the exchange of information and the conduct of the basic studies and scientific research necessary for the environmentally sound utilization of African resources; Strengthening and development of technical co-operation among African Countries through the development of horizontal scientific and technical links between national departments in specific areas.