Dear esteemed colleagues and guests,
Welcome to ICIC-IDUAI 2026 Conference in Freetown!
It is with warm excitement that I invite you to the 17th edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) hosted in collaboration with UNESCO alongside the global conference of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) which will take place from 28th to 30th September 2026 in Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone.
Interestingly, it is the first time both international conferences are happening simultaneously, same place, same time, same venue. This is one of several realities making the forthcoming conference unique and worth gracing. I cannot therefore be more excited to be at the centre of hosting and warmly welcoming participants from a wide range of professional backgrounds in the access to information space from all over the world to this two-in-one global conference.
The conference is themed “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder”. This Conference aims at proffering workable solutions to surmount the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, or fake news which is ever evident in this era of mind-blowing advancement in digital technologies and social media.
This Conference goes beyond bringing together global stakeholders on right to information. It is a gathering of experts and key stakeholders who are passionate to promote an open, accountable, just and peaceful world through access to credible and timely information as a way to address the costly damage of misinformation and disinformation, especially now that artificial intelligence has the potential to present constructed, or fabricated, realities as accurate information.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Freetown International Conference Center where all of us will converge for this all-important conference for the second time in an African nation. I am of the firm conviction that this Conference will advance tangible solutions to one of the world’s biggest challenges –information disorder!!ill
The event will be made of an open session with a high-level opening ceremony, plenary and parallel panels, as well as side events on the first two days to be followed by a closed session on the final day
Obviously, available and accessible information laced in integrity is the engine of an informed, peaceful and prosperous society. Let’s make it happen because polluted information has far-reaching consequences.
I look forward to seeing and welcoming you in Freetown!
Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw
Chairman & Information Commissioner
Right To Access Information Commission
Sierra Leone
