ICGLR and AUC Convene in Nairobi to Bolster Regional Peace, Good Governance, and Development Goals in the Great Lakes.
Members of audit committee representatives Concinie Nizigiyamana from Burundi, Immaculate and David Ngoy from Democratic Republic of Congo during the international conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) opening of the 26th meeting of the ICGLR Audit committee at Nairobi Hotel,
on April,22nd, 2025
A significant milestone toward peace, transparency, and sustainable development is unfolding in Nairobi as the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) host two pivotal regional meetings at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) from April 23 to 30, 2025.
The 26th ICGLR Audit Committee Meeting and the 30th Regional Committee Meeting are bringing together policymakers, technical experts, and key stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and accountability frameworks among member states. Central to the agenda is the responsible governance of the region’s natural resources viewed as critical to long-term peace and economic empowerment.
A focal point of the discussions is the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM), a cornerstone initiative aimed at curbing the illegal exploitation of minerals. The mechanism supports legal trade through mine inspections, mineral traceability, and third-party audits ensuring transparency and integrity in the mineral supply chain.
Organised in partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), the conferences are also reviewing progress on the implementation of the Six Tools against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR).
These tools, rooted in the ICGLR Pact on Security, Stability and Development and the Protocol against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources, were adopted by ICGLR Heads of State in 2010 to transform natural resource wealth from a driver of conflict into an engine of regional growth.
The ongoing meetings underscore a collective commitment by the ICGLR and AUC to sustainable resource governance, enhanced regional security, and inclusive development across the Great Lakes Region.
