Global Experts to Convene in Rwanda for 2026 African Great Lakes Stakeholder Network Annual Meeting

RWANDA – The African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) is set to facilitate the 2026 African Great Lakes Stakeholder Network Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place from February 4-6, 2026.

This major event will bring together the world’s “best minds” and over 150 experts dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing the seven African Great Lakes, which support millions of people and hold more than 25% of the world’s freshwater. The meeting is open to the public, welcoming specialists, observers, and guests to participate in collaborative problem-solving.

Key Priorities and Agenda Highlights:

• Collaborative Solutions: Attendees will work to activate collective knowledge and resources to solve challenges threatening the lakes, utilizing input from six specific advisory groups.
• Strategic Action: The agenda focuses on actionable themes such as ecosystem sustainability, climate resilience, scientific knowledge, innovation, and resource mobilization. Participants will work to advance a “Thematic Action Plan” and adopt a final meeting communique.
• Inclusivity and Empowerment: A major focus of the meeting is breaking down gender barriers to create inclusive solutions. This includes specific programming for the African Women in Science (AWIS) initiative, featuring orientation for the 2026 cohort and networking opportunities for alumni.
• Cross-Border Cooperation: Experts will work across borders to inform “game-changing freshwater decisions” regarding monitoring, education, and training.

The event will also feature partner presentations from organizations such as the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research and the Dept. of Fisheries Malawi, concluding with specialized workshops and trainings on Friday afternoon.