📹 WATCH | Opening Ceremony of the 20th ICGLR Regional Interministerial Committee (RIMC) Watch the live broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the ICGLR Regional Interministerial Committee, held today, 19 October 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.👇 facebook.com/share/v/19gMqvs…

📢CONVITE À APRESENTAÇÃO DE CANDIDATURAS: OPORTUNIDADES DE CONSULTORIA O Secretariado da Conferência Internacional sobre a Região dos Grandes Lagos (CIRGL) convida profissionais qualificados a apresentarem as suas candidaturas para a prestação de serviços de consultoria nas seguintes áreas: ✳️PERITO DE MEDIAÇÃO ✳️PERITO DE RECURSOS NATURAIS ✳️COORDENADOR DE PARCERIAS 🗒️Condições de Elegibilidade: O presente convite à apresentação de candidaturas destina-se exclusivamente aos cidadãos dos Estados-Membros da CIRGL. Procedimento de Candidatura: Os candidatos interessados que reúnam os requisitos exigidos poderão candidatar-se a um máximo de duas posições de consultoria. As candidaturas deverão incluir um curriculum vitae (CV) atualizado, cópias dos diplomas académicos relevantes e documentos comprovativos da experiência profissional pertinentes. As candidaturas deverão ser enviadas por correio eletrónico para [email protected], até ao dia 23 de Outubro de 2026, às 17h00 (horario do Burundi, GMT+2). 🔗Aceder os Termos de Referência 👇 icglr.org/pt/jobs/convite-a-…

📢APPEL À CANDIDATURES : OPPORTUNITÉS DE CONSULTANCE Le Secrétariat de la Conférence Internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs (CIRGL) invite les professionnels qualifiés à soumettre leurs candidatures pour la prestation de services de consultance dans les domaines suivants : ✳️Expert(e) en médiation ✳️Expert(e) en ressources naturelles ✳️Coordonnateur(trice) des partenariats 🗒️Conditions d’éligibilité: Le présent appel à candidatures est exclusivement ouvert aux ressortissants des États membres de la CIRGL. Modalités de candidature: Les candidats intéressés et remplissant les conditions requises peuvent postuler à un maximum de deux postes de consultance. Les dossiers de candidature doivent comprendre un curriculum vitae (CV) actualisé, des copies des diplômes pertinents ainsi que des documents justificatifs attestant de l’expérience professionnelle requise. Les candidatures doivent être envoyées par courrier électronique à l’adresse [email protected], au plus tard le 23 octobre 2026 à 17 h 00 (heure du Burundi, GMT+2). 🔗Télécharger les termes de référence 👇 icglr.org/fr/jobs/appel-a-ca…

📢CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITIES The Secretariat of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) invites applications from qualified professionals to provide consultancy services in the following areas: ✳️Mediation Expert ✳️Natural Resources Expert ✳️Partnerships Coordinator 🗒️Eligibility: This call for applications is open exclusively to nationals of ICGLR Member States. Application Procedure Interested and eligible candidates may apply for a maximum of two consultancy positions. Applications must include an updated curriculum vitae (CV), copies of relevant academic qualifications, and supporting documentation demonstrating relevant professional experience. Applications should be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than 23 October 2026 at 17:00 (Burundi time, GMT+2). 🔗Download full terms of reference 👇 icglr.org/jobs/call-for-appl…

#IndependenceDay2026 #UgandaIndependence @UgandaMFA @adoniaayebare

Addressing the Committee, ICGLR Executive Secretary Dr Mubita Luwabelwa underscored that responsible mineral governance is essential to ensuring that the Great Lakes Region's natural resources contribute meaningfully to employment, investment, regional integration and improved livelihoods. In this context, he called for a comprehensive assessment of the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM), taking stock of its achievements, implementation challenges and areas requiring improvement. He further emphasised the importance of credible third-party audits and reliable regional mineral data to strengthen transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making. @UEauBurundi @IMPACTtransform #GIZ

Day 2 of the 33rd ICGLR Regional Committee Meeting in Lusaka 🇿🇲 focused on progress in implementing the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR), with discussions on ✳️Mineral certification ✳️Traceability ✳️Data management and ✳️Regional cooperation.

H.E Dr. Mubita Luwabelwa, Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, urged delegates to strengthen implementation of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and its Regional Certification Mechanism. The Great Lakes Region's mineral resources hold considerable potential for economic growth, employment, and development. Yet weak governance, illegal exploitation, and illicit trade continue to threaten peace and security. 🎉As the region approaches the 20th anniversary of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in December 2026, the meeting is a chance to take stock of progress and identify outstanding challenges. Dr. Luwabelwa encouraged delegates to focus on practical lessons and actions capable of delivering measurable progress. Participants are exchanging views on practical approaches to certification, traceability, data management, peer review, and compliance, as well as the roles of governments, industry, and civil society in building credible mineral governance systems. The aim is to adapt useful practices to the realities of mineral production and trade in the Great Lakes Region. The outcomes of these discussions will help inform the Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Mines on 11 October 2026.

In June 2026, the Regional Committee approved the revised RINR, which was a significant step since the 32nd Regional Committee Meeting in Gitega, Burundi, in April 2026. The 33rd meeting in Lusaka presents the opportunity to assess implementation of the RINR's six tools, review progress against national roadmaps, and agree on practical measures to address remaining gaps. The focus is on turning regional commitments into effective implementation across Member States. 👉The revised RINR Evaluation Report is now available, providing insights into progress, challenges and opportunities for strengthening responsible mineral governance in the Great Lakes Region. 🔗 Read the report: icglr.org/wp-content/uploads…

Welcoming delegates to Lusaka, Mr. Anthony Chilengi, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Republic of Zambia, and guest of honour, reaffirmed Zambia's commitment to addressing the illegal exploitation of natural resources and strengthening responsible mineral governance. In his opening remarks, he outlined measures being advanced nationally, including: ✅Establishing a dedicated Department for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining to strengthen formalisation, regulation, and support for the sector. ✅Strengthening inspections and monitoring through the Minerals Regulation Commission. ✅Introducing a mineral tagging and traceability system to improve accountability and track minerals from mine sites to export. Mr Chilengi emphasised that countries cannot address illegal mineral exploitation and illicit mineral flows independently, given the cross-border nature of mineral supply chains. Stronger cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated action among Member States remain central to the regional response.

A key component of Day 1 is the peer-learning session between the ICGLR and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Organised by the ICGLR Secretariat in collaboration with the @un_greatlakes and the Kimberley Process Secretariat, the session builds on the High-Level Workshop held in Gaborone, Botswana, in October 2025. The Kimberley Process brings more than two decades of experience in mineral certification, traceability, compliance, and international cooperation. The session examines how lessons from that experience can inform the ICGLR's ongoing reforms, particularly the revised Regional Certification Mechanism and the development of the Regional Minerals Database.

The 33rd Meeting of the ICGLR Regional Committee against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources officially opens today in Lusaka, Zambia. From 8–10 October 2026, representatives of ICGLR Member States are convening to review progress and strengthen regional cooperation against the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes Region. The meeting will examine progress in implementing the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR), identify gaps requiring further action, and consider measures to strengthen mineral governance at national and regional levels. Discussions will also inform the Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Mines scheduled for 12 October 2026. The meeting is funded by @UEauBurundi, through the Regional Project to Contribute to the Improvement of Mineral Resources Governance in the Great Lakes Region, implemented by @IMPACTtransform within the framework of the European Union’s Peace and Security Programme. #GreatLakesRegion #MineralGovernance

📍New York | #UNGA81 The #ICGLR is participating in the 3rd Africa Minerals Strategy Group High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa. In his intervention, the ICGLR Executive Secretary underscored that Africa’s mineral wealth must translate into peace and shared prosperity, stressing the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining, responsible and traceable supply chains, and stronger partnerships to ensure artisanal miners are not left behind. 📖“What we ask of @AMSGDialogues, is partnership in financing formalization, in sharing technology for traceability, and in ensuring artisanal miners are not left behind”, said Dr @mubitaluwa.

The #ICGLR Secretariat joins partners and key voices at the High-Level Side Event on the margins of #UNGA81 to advance the #WomenPeaceSecurity Agenda in the Great Lakes Region. As the Region continues to confront complex peace and security challenges, today’s dialogue is an opportunity to amplify women’s voices, connect community peace efforts with regional processes, and strengthen collective action towards lasting peace and security.

At #UNGA81 in New York, the ICGLR Conference Secretariat is highlighting how the #WPS Agenda can be translated into concrete peace and security mechanisms. Through #EJVM+, women’s experiences and community realities can help strengthen how ceasefire implementation is understood on the ground. #WomenPeaceSecurity #EJVM #EJVMPlus

🤝Financial Experts from the 12 #ICGLR Member States are meeting in Bujumbura from 21–22 September 2026 to strengthen the financial governance, accountability and sustainability of the ICGLR. 🎯The Experts are expected to formulate recommendations to strengthen financial oversight and the sustainable financing of the ICGLR, which will be submitted for consideration by the Regional Interministerial Committee and the Summit.