In 2026, the Third Biennial Gathering of the Venice Agreement for Peatlands (VA) will take place in the Papyrus Wetlands of Lake Victoria in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in transcontinental collaboration for peatland protection. Bringing together local communities, global peatland custodians, and conservation experts, this gathering will center African peatlands and their stewards, highlighting both the ecological value of the papyrus-rich wetlands and the urgent threats they face—from overharvesting to encroachment. Co-organized by the VA, Ecofinder Kenya, and international partners such as the Global Peatlands Initiative and the Michael Succow Foundation, the gathering aims to foster deep, grounded exchanges on governance, care, and climate resilience in these vital ecosystems.

Timed to coincide with World Peatlands Day (June 2, 2026), the event will include Underground Workshops across the VA network, a vibrant arts and education program, and collaborative initiatives with institutions like Independent Curators International and the new Victoria Falls Contemporary Arts Museum. These elements will strengthen the VA’s global network by weaving together scientific, local, and Indigenous knowledge systems in support of shared futures. By creating a space for dialogue among scientists, artists, activists, and local leaders, the VA gathering will catalyze strategies for community-led conservation and amplify the role of peatlands as living archives of cultural and ecological wisdom.