International Institute for
Sustainable Development
&
ACARE
Join Forces to Improve Health of the
African Great Lakes
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The partnership between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) provides an opportunity for the world’s freshwater laboratory, networks, and experts on the African Great Lakes to come together and strengthen science on large freshwater resources and the countries in which they reside.
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IISD-ACARE combines the legal and policy expertise of IISD’s vast expert staff with ACARE’s newly created African network of large-lakes experts and scientists in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
How does this project work?
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The partnership between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) provides an opportunity for the world’s freshwater laboratory and networks on the African Great Lakes to come together and strengthen science on large freshwater resources and the countries in which they reside.
IISD-ACARE combines the legal and policy expertise of IISD’s vast expert staff with ACARE’s newly created African network of large-lakes experts and scientists in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
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What are we working on?
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During its first year, the new partnership will boost the activities of six Advisory Groups that were created to address issues specifically on each of the African Great Lakes. Members of each group are harmonizing priorities on the lakes to advance scientific inquiry, monitoring, climate change, and education and training, among other issues.
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World-class scientists and researchers from across Africa, Europe, and North America are putting their heads, and expertise, together to tackle some of the most pressing issues—algal blooms, climate change, invasive species, fragile fisheries, to name but a few—facing the African Great Lakes today. Pictured are participants of the 2019 African Great Lakes Stakeholder Network Workshop, Entebbe, Uganda.
The African Great Lakes
The African Great Lakes (AGL) are highly valuable natural resources, having rich fisheries, and are renowned ‘biodiversity hotspots.’ Consequently, they, and the ecosystem services they provide, underpin the welfare and livelihoods of over 50 million people across 10 countries. Despite the recognized importance of the AGL, these vital ecosystems and their livelihood support systems are threatened by the impact of human activity by numerous anthropogenic stressors at local, regional, and global scales.
The African Great Lakes are Lakes Albert, Edward, Kivu, Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa, Tanganyika, Turkana, and Victoria. You can learn more about the African Great Lakes here.
How can I learn more?
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To learn more about the project, discuss research and collaboration opportunities, or become involved with ACARE and the African Great Lakes, you can contact us directly.
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Why are we focusing on the
African Great Lakes?
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The African Great Lakes contain 20% of the world's freshwater resources. They support over 50 million people with protein, clean water, and transportation, but also face notable challenges, including climate change, agricultural runoff, deforestation, and over-harvest of fish. Attempts to address the challenges often fall short due, in part, to the under-investment in research institutions and unharmonized and disparate approaches to research.
Environmental problems are often addressed by international agencies and local organizations targeting short-term objectives, resulting in piecemeal results. Strengthening research capacity in developing countries can bolster long-term, strategic commitments, stable funding, and address ecosystem approaches to resource development and management.
Research capacity, therefore, is one of the prerequisites for meeting development goals. ACARE is partnering with scientists and research institutes globally to enhance the capacity of riparian nations to conduct ecosystem research and monitoring to support sustainable basin development around the African Great Lakes.
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We are working with advisory groups on each of the African Great Lakes, led by African leaders in research, science, and management and policy, to prioritize and direct critical research needs on these valuable resources.
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Photos: T. Lawrence, ACARE.