Our Ocean Conference opens in Kenya, first in Africa

The 11th Our Ocean Conference opened in Mombasa, Kenya, on Tuesday, June 16, marking the first time the global summit has been held in Africa. The three-day event, running through June 18, convenes world leaders, scientists, private sector representatives, and civil society to accelerate action on ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, and the blue economy.

Kenya’s hosting places Africa at the center of global discussions on ocean governance at a time when coastal economies face mounting pressures from climate change, overfishing, and pollution. Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,” the conference aims to translate ambition into measurable action across six priority areas: Marine Protected Areas, a sustainable blue economy, the ocean-climate nexus, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and maritime security.

A significant feature of this year’s conference is the emphasis on youth and community inclusion. The Kenya Youth Transition Initiative deployed 100 youth delegates to ensure young perspectives are integrated into policy discussions. Delegate Faith Ken emphasized that ocean conservation is directly linked to jobs, food security, and climate resilience...