East African Community

The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) will convene the 8th Regular Session of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectoral Council of Ministers (FASCoM) from 2 to 6 October 2026 in Bujumbura, Republic of Burundi.

Convened in accordance with the Convention for the Establishment of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, FASCoM is the governing body responsible for providing regional policy direction on the development, management and conservation of fisheries and aquaculture resources within the East African Community.

The meeting will bring together Ministers, senior government officials, fisheries and aquaculture experts, representatives of regional institutions and other key stakeholders. It will be conducted through the following sessions:

During the meeting, delegates are expected to review progress in implementing decisions and directives from previous sessions, assess the implementation of LVFO programmes and consider various policy, technical and strategic matters relating to fisheries and aquaculture development in the region.

The meeting will provide an important platform for Partner States to exchange views, consider recommendations and agree on coordinated regional actions. Its deliberations are expected to strengthen cooperation and provide policy guidance for the sustainable management and development of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture resources.

The 8th Regular Session reaffirms the commitment of LVFO and the EAC Partner States to regional collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and the responsible use of shared aquatic resources for improved livelihoods, food and nutrition security, regional trade and economic development.