The 2nd World Environmental Law Congress was held on July 28th and 29th 2021. The overall theme for the congress was A Critical Decade for Environmental Law. This major “hybrid” event saw participants from around the world gathered in Bouknadel, Morocco and online for the African Environmental Law Congress.

At the African Environmental Law Congress, speakers and participants addressed the overall global theme as well as the Congress’ regional theme: Water, Desertification and Law. Among the experts who spoke during  the roundtable on "Environmental Law, Water and Climate Change: General Trends & Challenges in Africa is faculty member Dr. Kibugi who spoke on the public policy challenge of pursuing development that is ecologically sustainable. How to move beyond environmental rights, to rights of nature? Rule of law as a key variable for attaining success. Dr. kibugi noted there is a much bigger role that rights can play in the protection of nature and for advancing climate action. “Rights of nature development is not merely sustainable but development that is actually ecologically sustainable. The protection of the ecosystem needs a balance of socio economic, political and environmental considerations and ecological integrity’’. He said

The African Environmental Law Congress also provided an important opportunity to recognize inspiring leaders in the field of Environmental Law. WCEL awarded the Nicholas Robinson Award for Excellence in Environmental Law to both Elizabeth Mrema of the UN CBD and Prof. Ali Mekouar of the University of Casablanca. Both were honored by WCEL Chair Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin and Prof. Christina Voigt for dedicated careers toward advancing the environmental rule of law.