The MENGOs play a very important role in the country's path towards sustainable development.

The following are the primary roles played by the MENGOs:

• Collaborate and provide services to the Government, where appropriate, thereby complementing and supplementing the initiatives of the Government.

• Education and awareness raising on environmental concerns.

• Facilitate community mobilisation and participation around environmental issues.

• Empowering of ordinary citizens, including those from the grassroots in defending their environmental rights.

• Contribute fresh insights into the environmental debate and advocate for improvements in environmental policy and legislation.

• Act as watchdogs in ensuring that the country genuinely embarks on a development model, which is environmentally sound and socially just.

• Promote the implementation of Agenda 21 and other appropriate international environmental agreements and conventions.