At its fourth session, in 1991, and taking into consideration the financial constraints that had hampered its activities, the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment decided to set up a general trust fund to ensure a sustainable financial basis for the Conference. The main objective of the fund was to provide financial support, wholly or partially, for the functioning of the organs of the Conference and the implementation of its activities. There is an urgent and increasing need for all member States to make their contributions, including clearing outstanding arrears, to the general trust fund in a timely manner and on a regular basis.