2021 Annual Meeting of the
African Great Lakes Stakeholder Network:

Highlighting the Scientific, Research, and Policy Needs on the African Great Lakes

December 7-9, 2021, Virtual

Background

The African Great Lakes Stakeholder Network is a highly collaborative group of freshwater and large lakes experts from around the world. At the heart of the network is over 100 African Great Lakes members who are, together, addressing the most critical issues on these seven lakes which hold over 25% of the world's freshwater and support millions of people.

Scientific meetings are an integral part of the scientific process, and help facilitate collaboration, idea sharing, harmonization of research and management, and trust between members. To make a larger impact on research, policy, and management of global, large, freshwater lakes, meetings must consistently reoccur and host credible participation of reputable professionals, and attendance by a diverse community. Thus, the intent of the African Great Lakes Stakeholder Network is for members of the African Great Lakes scientific community, along with advice, perspectives, and guidance from the larger global community, to meet annually to address the biggest challenges to our multi-jurisdictional freshwater systems.

As experts, our need to work collaboratively is paramount. To ensure the sustained heath of freshwater resources, we must work across borders so that individual interests do not supersede the needs of larger communities that rely on these resources. We must ensure consistent and long-term scientific inquiry takes place so that we have the ability to make positive decisions based on information that is more complete. When we work together, our collective knowledge, passion, and resources allow us to solve the challenges that threaten these resources.

During this 2021 Annual Meeting you will be updated on the past year's progress of the six advisory groups which are made up of experts from the ten riparian countries of the African Great Lakes.

The African Great Lakes Stakeholders Network, and this meeting, are facilitated by the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education and developed, informed, and advised by the partners and experts working on the African Great Lakes

2021 Annual Meeting

Agenda

Take our Annual Meeting Survey

Fill out by December 17, 2021

Annual Meeting Agenda
Updated: December 10, 2021

Take our Annual Meeting Survey

Fill out by December 17, 2021

Day 1 (3.5 hours)

December 7, 2021

Opening Remarks - Dr. Kevin Obiero and Dr. Ted Lawrence
Overview, background, and purpose - Dr. Ted Lawrence
COVID-19: Impacts, adaptation, and lessons learned - Professor Cyprian Katongo
Advisory Group updates:
- Lake Victoria Advisory Group - Dr. Anthony Taabu-Munyaho, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, Uganda
- Lake Edward Albert Advisory Group - Professor Mulongaibalu Mbalassa, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Lake Kivu Advisory Group - Professor Fabrice Muvundja, Catholic University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Lake Malawi/Niassa/Nyasa Basin Fisheries & Aquaculture Network - Dr. Geoffrey Chavula, University of Malawi, Malawi
- Lake Tanganyika Science Advisory Group - Dr. Ismael Kimirei, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania
- Lake Turkana Advisory Group - Dr. Kevin Obiero, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenya
Summary and close of day 1

Day 2 (3.5 hours)

December 8, 2021

Welcome

Recap of Day 1 and introduction of Day 2 - Dr. Ted Lawrence
Strengthening the Global Freshwater Community - models for long-term approaches to the AGL
- Mekong River Basin Commission - Dr. So Nam
- Southeast Asian Limnological Network and the International Lake Environment Committee Foundation - Ms. Adelina Santos-Borja
- International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area - Dr. Matt McCandless
- African Women in Science Program: An overview - Dr. Lulu Tunu Kaaya
- Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization - Dr. Edward Rukuunya
- United Nations - World Water Quality Alliance - Drs. Ken Irvine and Andrew Gemmell
- Great Lakes Fishery Commission - Dr. Marc Gaden
Meeting-wide discussion of harmonization between global approaches and African Great Lakes needs and processes - Facilitated
Summary and close of day 2

Day 3 (2 hours)

December 9, 2021

Welcome
Approaches and collaborations to solve critical issues on the African Great Lakes
Summary, findings, and resolutions
Closing - Ms. Angela Nankabirwa