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By Talkafrica Correspondent
MOMBASA – The Government of Kenya will officially open the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) tomorrow, bringing together global leaders, scientists, investors, innovators, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and ocean advocates in Mombasa to accelerate action for the ocean’s future.
Held for the first time on African soil, OOC11 comes at a pivotal moment for ocean and climate governance. Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” the conference places Africa and the Western Indian Ocean at the heart of global conversations on sustainability, resilience, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
Over three days, the conference will focus on translating ambition into measurable action across six priority areas: Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Blue Economy, the Ocean–Climate Nexus, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Pollution, and Maritime Security.
For Kenya, the event is more than a diplomatic gathering—it is a platform to reimagine how governments, communities, startups, investors, and technology leaders can collaborate to build a more resilient ocean economy.
Covering more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, oceans are vital to life on the planet—producing over half of the oxygen we breathe, regulating the climate, and supporting billions of livelihoods. Yet they face severe threats from climate change, overfishing, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and maritime insecurity.
“By hosting OOC11, Kenya seeks to leave a lasting imprint on global ocean governance—one that ensures future generations inherit a resilient, productive, and just ocean,” said Hassan Ali Joho, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for mining and blue economy.
Since its launch in 2014, the Our Ocean Conference has become one of the world’s leading platforms for ocean action accountability. More than 2,900 commitments, valued at over US$169 billion, have been announced through the process, spanning marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate adaptation, maritime security, and pollution reduction.
Kenya’s hosting reflects a growing recognition that the next phase of ocean action will depend on scalable partnerships, technology-enabled governance, and investment models capable of accelerating real-world impact.
With 38 coastal and island states and some of the world’s fastest-growing coastal populations, Africa is emerging as a strategic hub for sustainable blue economy innovation.
Throughout the conference, Kenya will spotlight opportunities to mobilise private-sector investment across fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, tourism, and digital ocean technologies. Special emphasis will be placed on unlocking finance for ocean solutions and supporting early-stage innovation ecosystems capable of driving sustainable growth across the continent.
In a signal of this broader ambition, OOC11 will also elevate the role of young innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders as critical architects of future ocean governance.
Conference organizers have emphasized that successful ocean action must remain grounded in the lived realities of coastal communities.
Kenya’s approach to marine conservation highlights co-management models that position local communities not only as beneficiaries of conservation but also as active partners in planning, governance, restoration, and sustainable economic development. This community-centered model is expected to shape discussions around marine protected areas, fisheries management, climate adaptation, and coastal resilience throughout the week.
A Defining Moment for Global Ocean Governance
As climate pressures intensify and biodiversity loss accelerates, OOC11 opens amid growing international recognition that the ocean sits at the center of global economic, environmental, and security systems.
For Kenya, hosting the conference represents both an opportunity and a responsibility: to elevate African leadership, amplify locally driven solutions, and help shape the next chapter of global ocean governance.
The Government of Kenya has called on governments, financial institutions, innovators, NGOs, Indigenous communities, scientists, and private-sector leaders to use the conference not only to make commitments but also to build partnerships capable of delivering measurable outcomes.
Kenya is also expected to advance regional cooperation against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while promoting innovation-led approaches to marine conservation and restoration aligned with global biodiversity and climate targets, including the international 30×30 goal.
“Our Ocean” was founded on action. Kenya’s ambition is to ensure that Our Ocean 2026 accelerates progress—for Africa, for the world, and for generations to come,” said CS Joho.
