Jinja to host global conference to promote fish consumption

As part of the celebrations for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022), Sustainable Fisheries Initiative together with the National Organizing Committee (NOC) are organizing the International Conference on Artisanal Fisheries scheduled on 3rd -6th of September 2022 at the Source of Nile Hotel in Jinja, Uganda.

The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries (IYAFA 2022) was declared in 2017 by the 72nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, with the FAO to serve as the lead UN agency, in collaboration with other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system.

The conference will offer an open platform for dialogues, research presentations and technology exhibitions across the fisheries value chain.

The conference being organized under the theme “Breaking new grounds to recognize and celebrate the contribution of small scale fisheries towards food security and nutrition” is expected to attract over 500 scientists, development partners, state actors, young researchers, practitioners and exhibitors from across the globe.

According to organizeers, the conference will enhance awareness, understanding and actions to support the contribution and sustainable development of artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to food security and nutrition, poverty eradication and use of natural resources.

It will also promote a platform for sharing blue innovations, research findings and their translation into practice, dialogue and collaboration among artisanal fishers, governments and other partners to further strengthen their capacity to enhance sustainability, social development and well-being.

The conference which will bring together a diverse range of practitioners, scientists, development partners and industry representatives working across different areas of the fisheries across the world, will be used to reflect on Africa’s progress in achieving the SDGs and establishing new impetus to achieve sustainable Fisheries.

It intends to foster interactions with development partners, financing institutions and solution providers, and advocate the benefits of collaboration and support towards achieving sustainable artisanal fisheries development and as well contribute to the continuing development and expansion of international, regional and national partnerships and associations, and establish where they do not exist.

The four-day conference will comprise plenary sessions with re-known keynote speakers, ministerial dialogues, parallel sessions comprising scientific oral paper presentations, poster paper presentations, exhibitions and field excursions among other activities.

The International Conference on Artisanal Fisheries (ICAF) is being organized by Sustainable Fisheries Initiative with strategic guidance and support of the National Organizing Committee which comprises Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, Directorate of Fisheries Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and Makerere University.

Others are Fisheries Training Institute, Uganda Fish Processors and Exporters Association, Association of Fish and Lake Users of Uganda, Federation of Fisheries Organization of Uganda, Katosi Women and Uganda National Women Fish Organization and Yalelo Uganda.