KENYA TO HOST 11TH OUR OCEAN CONFERENCE

Kenya to host 11TH Our Ocean Conference. Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future.

WHAT:

The Government of Kenya will host the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11), bringing together leaders from government, science, civil society, youth, and the private sector to accelerate ocean action and turn collective ambition into meaningful progress.

WHEN AND WHERE:

16th – 18th  June 2026 in Mombasa, Kenya

WHY IT MATTERS:

The Our Ocean Conference will be held on African soil for the first time, spotlighting Africa’s ocean leadership, coastal cultures, and the strategic importance of the Western Indian Ocean.

Hosted under the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future’, the conference will highlight the deep connections between ocean health, culture, livelihoods, and economic resilience, while driving concrete commitments to protect the ocean amid escalating pressures from climate change, illegal fishing, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

“Covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface, oceans are critical to life on the planet, producing over half of the oxygen humans breathe, regulating the climate, and supporting billions of livelihoods. However, they are under severe threat 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” Hon. Hassan Ali Joho E.G.H, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.

ABOUT OUR OCEAN CONFERENCE

Since 2014, more than 2,900 commitments worth over US$169 billion worldwide have been recorded, with OOC11 introducing a strengthened architecture for tracking delivery.

CORE AREAS OF ACTION

OOC11 will advance commitments and partnerships across six priority action areas:

Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Blue Economy, Ocean–Climate Nexus, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Pollution and Maritime Security.

As host, Kenya will use OOC11 to:

• Mobilise private-sector engagement and investment in the sustainable blue economy
• Empower and elevate young ocean leaders
• Catalyse ocean finance at scale
• Strengthen regional cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
• Advance marine conservation and restoration aligned with climate goals and the 30×30 target

Image: Pixabay