Our Ocean Conference

The Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 16-18 saw over 100 governments, businesses, and organizations commit to 320 new initiatives valued at $6.4 billion for ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and the blue economy. The article reflects on the fragmented nature of political power despite the ocean's unity.

Mombasa became the first African city to host the Our Ocean Conference (OOC), an international event focused on ocean protection and conservation. The conference highlighted Africa's growing role in shaping global ocean governance.

The Asia-Pacific is undergoing a significant transformation in ocean governance, with governments expanding marine protected areas, investing in blue carbon initiatives, deploying digital fisheries monitoring systems, and emphasizing the ocean's role in climate resilience and economic growth. The 2026 Our Ocean Conference highlighted this momentum.

The first Our Ocean Conference held in Africa took place in Mombasa, focusing on marine protection, climate resilience, and sustainable blue economies. The event, themed 'Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future,' questioned whether global promises for ocean conservation would translate into tangible action.

The 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, concluded with new pledges and partnerships aimed at scaling ocean action, finance, and innovation. However, concerns persist about whether these commitments will be fulfilled, echoing past unmet promises.

African and Commonwealth nations advocate for the High Seas Treaty at Kenya's Our Ocean Conference, while UN reports highlight ocean strain and record fisheries production. AI analysis reveals significant shifts in plant flowering times over the past century, with tropical regions showing the most variation.

Fifteen countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific adopted the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by improving transparency in fishing vessel data, ownership, and licensing. The agreement aims to protect marine ecosystems and livelihoods, with support from conservation groups and international cooperation.

Taiwan’s foreign minister, Lin Chia-Lung, stated that Chinese pressure on countries to restrict Taiwan’s international participation has become a ‘new normal.’ Recent incidents include Taiwanese delegates being detained in Kenya during an ocean conference, with their passports and phones confiscated, allegedly due to Chinese influence.

Africa is hosting the Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) for the first time, with The Nature Conservancy highlighting partnerships to translate ocean protection commitments into action. The global goal of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030 faces challenges in scaling solutions beyond identifying them.

African and Commonwealth nations at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya urged swift implementation of the High Seas Treaty, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Delegates highlighted that only 3% of oceans are highly protected and emphasized converting pledges into measurable actions to address marine exploitation.

African and Commonwealth nations at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Kenya urged swift implementation of the High Seas Treaty to protect international waters. The treaty, which entered force in January after 60 countries ratified it, aims to establish protected areas in oceans and help achieve a 2030 target of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans. Delegates emphasized converting pledges into tangible action, citing slow progress despite record conservation commitments.

Asia's governments have pledged to protect marine areas, but their commitments will be tested at the 11th annual Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, where governments, donors, companies, and conservation groups will gather. The conference, following World Ocean Day, serves as a key platform for these discussions.