14 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Record-breaking attendance figures at the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 in Uganda highlight the growing popularity of the World Aquaculture Society’s Conferences in Africa The World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Conference (WA25 Uganda) took place from June 24 to June 27, 2025, at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo-Kampala, Uganda. Themed “Aquaculture on the Rise,” the event marked a significant resurgence of in-person gatherings at an international aquaculture conference in Africa. It emphasized how partnerships in education, science, technological advancement, and business development continue to support the rapidly growing aquaculture sector on the continent. WA25 Uganda offered something for everyone, catering to a diverse range of interests in aquaculture, and providing valuable opportunities for learning, information sharing, and networking among professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, technical specialists, students, policymakers and development partners. Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the event attracted over 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa. It was a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate achievements, share ideas and innovations, and forge new partnerships that will help shape the future of aquaculture, which is experiencing significant growth in Africa. Notably, there was a record number of fish farming micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their representative associations participating, underscoring their vital role in aquaculture development in the region. WA25 Uganda was the second time a WAS global event has been held on African soil, following the successful World Aquaculture Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2017. Since then, WAS has organized the Annual Aquaculture Africa Conferences (AFRAQs) in Egypt in 2022, Zambia in 2023, and Tunisia in 2024, with plans to continue this annual tradition in other identified countries. The guest of honour was Uganda’s Vice President, Her Excellency Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, who was joined by other senior state dignitaries from Uganda, as well as highlevel guests from development partners, including the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), European Union (EU), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), World Bank, FAO, and others. The global WAS President, Dr. David Cline, and the African Chapter President, Ms. Foluke Areola, also attended the event. The conference’s scientific and technical program was filled with sessions that balanced global and African perspectives. Presentations by renowned experts from development organizations, the private sector, and academia sparked debates on strategies and innovations that will shape the future of aquaculture. In total, the program featured 61 sessions, over 500 abstracts, 99 posters, four training workshops, and various side and parallel meetings. It was encouraging to see the presence of several Immediate Past-President David Cline and President-Elect Foluke Areola. Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the event attracted over 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa. It was a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate achievements, share ideas and innovations, and forge new partnerships that will help shape the future of aquaculture, which is experiencing significant growth in Africa. Notably, there was a record number of fish farming micro, small, and medium enterprises and their representative associations participating, underscoring their vital role in aquaculture development in the region.
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