Sierra Leone is set to host information commissioners, policymakers, media practitioners, governance experts, civil society representatives and other stakeholders from across the world for the first-ever joint global conference of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) and the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
The landmark three-day conference, jointly hosted by the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) of Sierra Leone and UNESCO, will take place from September 28–30, 2026, at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
The conference is being held under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
It will provide a global platform for discussions on access to information, information integrity and the growing challenges posed by misinformation, disinformation, fake news and emerging technologies.
Plenary and parallel sessions will bring together prominent international and national experts to examine practical approaches to strengthening transparency, accountability and access to credible information in an increasingly digital world.
The programme will officially commence with a welcome cocktail on Sunday, September 27, followed by the main conference from Monday, September 28, to Wednesday, September 30.
Participants will engage in high-level discussions, expert panels and networking activities. The programme will also feature cultural entertainment and excursions showcasing Sierra Leone’s heritage and tourism attractions, including the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Bunce Island and the Peace Museum.
Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, will serve as Guest of Honour and deliver the keynote address. Other distinguished personalities from international institutions and the global access-to-information community are also expected to participate as speakers and panellists.
The 2026 gathering marks the 17th edition of the ICIC and only the second time the conference will be hosted on the African continent, following South Africa’s hosting of the event in 2019.
Sierra Leone therefore becomes only the second African country to host the prestigious global gathering of Information Commissioners.
Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, said the conference comes at a critical moment when the rapid evolution of digital technologies is reshaping how information is produced, shared and consumed.
“Information is the first line of defence against information disorder. In an age where misinformation and disinformation can travel across borders in seconds, access to timely, credible and reliable information is no longer simply a right—it is a critical tool for protecting democracy, strengthening accountability and building resilient societies,” Dr Shaw said.
He added: “This conference gives the world an opportunity to move beyond identifying the problem and work together on practical solutions that place access to information at the centre of the fight for information integrity.”
The conference is expected to strengthen international cooperation, promote the exchange of good practices and generate practical recommendations for advancing universal access to credible and reliable information in the digital age.
