A Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, which was held in Kisumu, Kenya, on 30 June 1994, adopted the Convention for the Establishment of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO).

Pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article XIX, the Convention was signed in Kisumu on 30 June 1994 on behalf of the States listed below and remained open for signature at the Headquarers of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome. In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article XIX, the riparian States of Lake Victoria may become parties to the Convention by signing it and then depositing an instrument of ratification or by depositing an instrument of accession.

Paragraph 4 of Article XIX provides that the Convention shall enter into force on the date of the deposit of the third instrument of ratification or accession. In accordance with this provision, the Convention entered into force on 24 May 1996. The Convention was registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations on 30 July 1996.

At its Second Session held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 November 1998, the Council of Ministers of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization adopted amendments to the Convention. The amendments entered into force thirty days after their adoption, i.e. on 12 December 1998.

Parties to the Convention

The following are the participants that deposited their instruments on the corresponding date indicated: