Fostering Ties with African Countries: IUGS met with representatives from the AMGC and Malawi

In Nairobi, IUGS President Hassina Mouri met with Mr. Ibrahim Shaddad, Director General of the African Minerals and Geosciences Centre (AMGC). The fruitful meeting highlighted potential collaboration opportunities between AMGC and IUGS. Key discussion points included AMGC’s Support in encouraging more African states to join IUGS, and to explore ways to work together on medical geology initiatives in Africa. Hassina Mouri was very optimistic after the meeting: “The conversation with Dr. Shaddad was extremely constructive, and I am absolutely convinced that he can help us in our efforts to anchor IUGS more deeply in African science. I am also delighted to have been invited to visit AMGC in Dar es Salaam to continue the dialogue.”

Meanwhile, IUGS Secretary General, Ludwig Stroink, travelled from Nairobi to Malawi. In Lilongwe he met with senior representatives from leading geoscientific and governmental institutions to discuss re-activating the long-dormant IUGS membership of the resource-rich nation. The talks on 26 September in Malawi’s capital were highly successful and paved the way for the country’s planned return to IUGS in 2026. All remaining formalities are expected to be completed over the course of 2025. “This marks a significant step in reconnecting Malawi with the global geoscience community.” said Ludwig Stroink after the meeting. “We look forward to welcoming the country back into the IUGS and to deepening our collaboration in the years ahead.”

Ludwig Stroink with high-level representatives from Malawian geo-science- and government organisations.