The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

DAKAR, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The first Africa Carbon Forum will take place in Dakar, Senegal, from Sept. 3 to 5.

The event is to be organized by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the International Emission Trading Association (IETA), the UN Development Program (UNDP), UN Environment Program (UNEP), The World Bank and the African Development Bank.

The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), informally known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to 14, 1992.

The Convention entered into force on March 21, 1994. Its stated objective is "to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system."

Under the Convention, governments gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices; launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provisional and technological support to developing countries; cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

The Convention enjoys near universal membership, with 192 countries having ratified.