Kenya is to host the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference in 2026, becoming the first African country to do so since the conference began in 2014.
The 2026 edition will mark the first time the conference will be held on the African continent,
Besides spotlighting the region’s ocean leadership and priorities. It will further showcase a powerful moment for Africa’s ocean and climate leadership
Kenya’s leadership on ocean and climate issues is widely recognised, from addressing marine pollution to pioneering sustainable blue economy policies.
The world looks forward to continuing the momentum at OOC11 and hearing Africa’s voice at the centre of global ocean action.
Kenya As Host
According to the Global Director, Ocean Program, World Resources Institute, Tom Pickerell, Kenya has long been an advocate and leader on ocean issues, an active member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), the host of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and a pioneer in ambitious policies to tackle plastic pollution and foster a sustainable ocean economy.
“As the first Our Ocean Conference to be held in Africa, Kenya will have the opportunity to draw global attention to the region’s priorities and challenges — ranging from ocean-climate resilience and sustainable fishing to maritime security, marine conservation, pollution and the sustainable ocean economy. Pickerell said.
The Global director said that the Our Ocean Conference Secretariat, looks forward to working with Kenya to as they define priority action areas, shape the agenda, and build on momentum of the 1oth conference just comcluded in Busan Korea to mobilize a new wave of commitments into the conference’s second decade.
Our Ocean Conferences
He said that the Our Ocean Conference is a critical platform for mobilizing finance and catalyzing vital ocean action.
In its first ten years, it has been an effective mechanism to further progress against multilateral agreements and encourage new announcements of marine protected areas.
“Our research shows that each successive conference has raised ocean ambitions both globally and regionally.” Pickerell declared.
The annual summit brings together governments, NGOs, scientists, commercial sector executives, and civil society to address threats to ocean health, such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.
Launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State and former Secretary of State, John Kerry, the Our Ocean Conference is an annual event that brings together governments, the private sector, NGOs and the academic community to drive urgent ambition and action for the ocean.
World Resources Institute is the Secretariat of the conference.
The conference supports efforts across finance, policy, capacity building, research, and more, focusing on six key areas: marine protected areas, sustainable blue economy, climate change, maritime security, sustainable fisheries and marine pollution.
To date, the conference has generated over 2,600 commitments worth more than $140 billion — a testament to its vital role in global ocean protection and sustainable management.
