UNEP under the auspices of its project known as Partnership for the Development of Environmental law and Institutions in Africa (PADELIA) and the SADC Parliamentary Forum jointly convened a symposium on 17–19 October 2006, in Maseru, Lesotho to discuss the role of parliamentarians in advancing environmental law, policy and sustainable development. The Parliamentarians discussed their role in the development and implementation of environmental law and policy in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community sub-regions of Africa.